Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

VERDEN, Oklahoma – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) working side-by-side with Fullerton Police Department (FPD) arrested a documented gang member who is suspected of illegally sending firearms from Oklahoma to alleged gang members in Orange County, California.

Manuel Delatorre Jr., aka as “Flacco,” 23, of Verden, Oklahoma, was arrested at his residence early this morning. During the arrest a federal search warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence and law enforcement seized firearms, ammunition, a bullet-proof vest, along with other evidence.

Delatorre has been charged with violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922 (a) (5), unlawful transfer of a firearm to an out-of-state resident. Per federal law, only federal firearms licensees can legally transfer, sell or transport firearms to an individual who does not reside in the same state as the transferor.

According to the complaint, FPD located firearms during searches of Orange County residences. The ongoing investigation led law enforcement to Oklahoma and Delatorre. Delatorre is a gang member from Fullerton, California who relocated to Oklahoma and was supplying local individuals with firearms.

If convicted, Delatorre faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The charges against Delatorre were the result of an investigation conducted by ATF and FPD. The prosecution of this case will be handled by the U.S. Attorney Central District of California Office.

For more information about Los Angeles ATF visit https://www.atf.gov/los-angeles-field-division and follow ATF on Twitter @LosAngelesATF.

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