U.S. Attorney's Office and ATF Announce Criminal Charges Against California Man for Unlicensed Firearms Dealing and Financial Crimes

ALBUQUERQUE – A California man was charged by superseding indictment for allegedly engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, interstate travel in furtherance of that offense, and conducting unlawful financial transactions to promote the scheme.

Brian Joseph, 52, appeared before a federal judge and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, between October 15, 2021, and November 29, 2022, Joseph allegedly engaged in the business of dealing firearms in Bernalillo County and elsewhere without being a licensed firearms dealer. To achieve this, Joseph traveled from California to New Mexico on multiple occasions to acquire firearms and resell them at a profit in California.

In addition to the firearms charges, Joseph is accused of conducting financial transactions involving proceeds from the unlawful firearms dealings. Specifically, Joseph allegedly executed electronic fund transfers from Wescom Credit Union to PNC Bank on various dates in 2022 totaling $6,684.80.

If convicted, Joseph faces up to 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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