Farmington Felon Sentenced for Conviction on Firearms Charge and Stolen Valor

ALBUQUERQUE – Anthony Lee Gambino, 45, of Farmington, N.M., was sentenced on Nov. 9, 2017, in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to six months in prison for violating the federal firearms laws and making false representations about having received military medals and decorations.  Gambino will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.

According to court filings, Gambino was the owner and operator of Gambino Security Safety Corp., a security company based in Aztec, N.M.  An investigation revealed that Gambino was producing commercial videos and photos for his company advertising different types of tactical and firearms training which depicted Gambino armed with a rifle, holstered side arms and hand guns.  Gambino also represented to a prospective vendor of his commercial tactical services that he was a combat veteran who had earned medals and ribbons including the Purple Heart.  Court filings indicate that Gambino fraudulently enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps which resulted in an other than honorable discharge.  Gambino was never in combat and was not awarded the Purple Heart or the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon. 

Gambino was arrested in May 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms and making false representations about receiving military medals and decorations.  Gambino was subsequently indicted on the same charges on May 25, 2016.  According to the indictment, Gambino was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted on charges of commercial burglary, failure to appear, and menacing involving a deadly weapon.  According to the indictment, Gambino committed the crimes on May 12, 2016, in San Juan County, N.M.

On Feb. 7, 2017, Gambino pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on May 12, 2016, he was in possession of six firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition despite his status as a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.  Gambino further admitted that he fraudulently held himself out to be a recipient of a Purple Heart and a Combat Action Ribbon with intent to obtain money, property or other tangible benefit. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe prosecuted the case.