Two charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms

LAREDO, Texas - A Texas man and a Mexican national have been indicted for allegedly attempting to purchase firearms in the United States to bring across the border into Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

A federal grand jury has now returned a three-count indictment against Jorge Alberto Morales-Calvo, 25, Mexico, and Homero Arteaga Jr., 45, Mission.

Originally charged by criminal complaint and in custody, they are expected to appear for their arraignment before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future.

In September, Morales-Calvo and Arteaga allegedly went to Zapata to purchase a .50 caliber rifle and a FN Five-Seven pistol. The charges allege they were given a bag containing $16,850 in counterfeit U.S. currency to purchase the firearms.

According to the complaint, Morales-Calvo and Arteaga arrived in a black pickup truck at the predetermined meeting point, at which time Arteaga inspected the firearms. After retrieving the counterfeit money for the transaction, Arteaga allegedly grabbed the case holding the firearms and attempted to place them in the bed of the truck.

The charges allege Morales-Calvo noticed authorities and attempted to flee and left Arteaga behind. Law enforcement quickly apprehended both men, according to the complaint.

The firearms were intended for ultimate delivery in Mexico, according to the charges.

If convicted of the conspiracy, both men face up to 15 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Arteaga and Morales-Calvo are also charges with felon in possession of a firearm and alien in possession of a firearm, respectively, and face an additional 10 years in federal prison, upon conviction.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.