DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Benjamin B. Wagner
, United States Attorney
Contact: Lauren Horwood

Modesto Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine and Firearms Trafficking

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jose Jesus Reyes-Gallaga Vargas, 25, of Modesto, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to 10 years in prison for possessing, with intent to distribute, methamphetamine and dealing firearms without a license, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, Reyes-Gallaga was in the business of selling guns and drugs. Over the course of several transactions in Manteca and Stockton, he sold several ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. He also sold the informant six firearms, including an AK-47-type weapon and a rifle that had been reported stolen in Roseburg, Ore. According to the plea agreement, Reyes-Gallaga was not licensed as a firearms dealer and, as of the date of the possession of the firearms, he was an alien who was unlawfully in the United States.

“Gun traffickers are the primary source and supply of guns arming criminals in our streets,” said Joseph M. Riehl, ATF Special Agent in Charge, San Francisco Field Division. “The message is clear; gun traffickers are priorities for ATF and our state and local law enforcement partners, those who illegally traffic guns will be identified, investigated, arrested and ultimately brought to justice for their contribution to gun violence in our communities.”

This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Paul A. Hemesath prosecuted the case.

 

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San Francisco Field Division