U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF, and HSI Charge Mexican Nationals with Federal Firearms Offenses

ALBUQUERQUE - Two Mexican nationals are facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to traffic a machinegun, rifles, and a grenade into Mexico.

Fernando Espino-Ortiz and Perla Janeth Ruiz-Lozano appeared before a federal judge today. Espino will remain in custody and Ruiz will be released on conditions pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the criminal complaint, on September 25, 2024, Espino and Ruiz allegedly traveled from Mexico to Albuquerque to illegally purchase firearms, including a machinegun, three rifles, and a grenade from an undercover ATF agent. The defendants brought $100,000 in cash to exchange for the weapons.

During the transaction, Espino took possession of the weapons and loaded them into a vehicle, stating they were to be transported back to Mexico. Both defendants were arrested at the scene.

If convicted of the current charges, Espino and Ruiz each face up to 15 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso made the announcement today.

The ATF and HSI jointly investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

A criminal complaint 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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