Convicted Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Firearms

Press Release

Trafficking conspiracy involved between 25 and 99 firearms, and a shooting resulting in death

Salt Lake City, Utah - The lead defendant in a firearms trafficking case was sentenced to 67 months' imprisonment, three years supervised release, and the forfeiture of multiple firearms.

Leslie Eugene Gittoes, 53, of Ontario, California, also known as "Big Craze," was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge David Sam, after he pleaded guilty in February 2024 to conspiracy to travel interstate with intent to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license.

According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea hearing, from September 2020 to August 2021, Gittoes and his coconspirators, who have been sentenced or awaiting sentencing, intentionally agreed to violate federal firearms laws by conspiring to travel interstate from Utah to California with the intent to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. Gittoes admitted he provided monetary compensation to Israel Luis Gonzalez, 60, of Roy, Utah, Emmette James Kibodeaux, 48, of Clearfield, Utah, and Taiesha Ann Kibodeaux, 40, of Clearfield, Utah, in exchange for firearms. Gittoes further admitted that the conspiracy involved 25 to 99 firearms.

According to court documents, the case was initiated after a 2021 shooting between rival gangs in Ontario, California. The investigation revealed that firearms were transferred from purchasers in Utah to restricted persons, including gang members in the Los Angeles and San Bernadino, California areas. Several firearms were recovered in California and one of the involved firearms was utilized in a gang-related shooting which resulted in death.

Taiesha Ann Kibodeaux and Emmette James Kibodeaux were sentenced in March 2024. The court sentenced Taiesha to 60 months' probation and Emmette was sentenced to 52 months' imprisonment. Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced September 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.3 at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

The case was investigated by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Riverside Field Office with assistance from the Salt Lake City Field Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Victoria K. McFarland and Samuel S. Pead of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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Updated August 5, 2024