DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Louisiana

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr.
, United States Attorney
Contact: Anna Christman

Florida Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Firearms Violations

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JAIME JAUREGUI, age 36, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced today after a federal jury found him guilty of conspiracy to violate the Gun Control and National Firearms Acts and possession of unregistered firearms.

 U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced JAUREGUI to 120 months incarceration, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

 According to previously filed court documents, in January 2012, agents of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans received information indicating that JAUREGUI was interested in acquiring items listed on the United States Munitions List and smuggling the weapons to end users in Mexico.  On at least four occasions from January 2012 through March 21, 2013, JAUREGUI met with an undercover agent in St. Tammany Parish to negotiate the purchase of more than 100 fully automatic assault rifles, grenade launchers, grenades, and night vision goggles, all of which were destined for a Mexican drug trafficking cartel.  JAUREGUI provided a cash deposit of approximately $46,000 during those meetings.  JAIME JAUREGUI hired CARLOS CABRERA, FRANCISCO MALDONADO, and RUBEN JAUREGUI to assist him with transporting the weapons to the final destinations. None of the men have federal firearms or export licenses. Defendants CABRERA, MALDONADO, and RUBEN JAUREGUI previously pled guilty and have been sentenced.

 U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Louisiana State Police, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office for investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Kennedy and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ebarb are in charge of the prosecution.

New Orleans Field Division