Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On March 26, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a  one-count indictment charging two individuals for trafficking firearms without a license, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is in charge of the investigation of the case.

The indictment charges Julián A. Sierra-Acevedo, and Jonathan González-Collazo, a.k.a. “Chino” with engaging in the business of firearms trafficking without a license. On March 24, 2018 the defendants herein, aiding and abetting each other, not being licensed dealers of firearms within the meaning of Chapter 44, Title 18, Unites States Code, did willfully sell an AR-15 type rifle, .223 caliber, black in color, of unknown make and model, along with .223 caliber ammunition to an undercover agent.

“We will continue to work tirelessly with state and federal law enforcement agencies, to fight the wave of gun violence in our communities. An essential component of our violence reduction strategy is the prosecution of individuals involved in illegal firearms trafficking,” said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Pérez-Bouret is in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison for engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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