.50 caliber straw purchaser sentenced in relation to illegal firearm shipment destined for Mexico

Editor's Note:
This matter occurred on date indicated, but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.   

HOUSTON - A 50-year-old Houston man has been ordered to prison for making a false statement in the purchase of firearms and purchasing firearms knowing they were to be exported to Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

The jury deliberated for less than 20 minutes following a three-day trial before finding John Castellano guilty April 30.

U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. has now ordered Castellano to serve 70 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Castellano was not just simply purchasing firearms, he was getting them through others with money people in Mexico had provided. Judge Werlein commented that these were .50 caliber rifles destined for Mexico and that Castellano was looking to purchase more.   

On or about Dec. 16, 2019, Castellano lied to a federal firearms licensed dealer. He falsely claimed he was purchasing two Barrett .50 caliber rifles for himself, each valued at approximately $8,000. In reality, they were intended for others and ultimately destined for Mexico.

The jury heard evidence that Castellano purchased the rifles with approximately $17,000 in cash from Jacinto Zuniga.

Evidence revealed Castellano had picked up the firearms from a federal firearms licensed dealer with a friend, who was a previously convicted felon.

The jury also heard he was attempting to obtain additional Barrett .50 caliber rifles.

Experts provided testimony regarding the regulations and various licensing requirements necessary for exporting firearms to Mexico. The jury also had the opportunity to view the rifles Castellano had straw purchased.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that the accusations were false, he was wrongfully accused and that incriminating text messages were lies. They did not believe those claims and found Castellano guilty as charged.

Previously released on bond, Castellano was taken into custody following the sentencing where he will remain pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Zuniga, 44, Houston, previously pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme and was sentenced to 34 months.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Department of State. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Stotts prosecuted the case.