Gun charade bought weapons for Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A Roswell man faces up to five years in prison after admitting he paid straw buyers to purchase semi-automatic weapons, some of which ended up in Mexico.

Carlos Martell, 38, pleaded guilty Monday to making false statements in the purchase of eight weapons from legal dealers in 2009 and early 2010. Martell paid two people to buy the weapons so his name would not be linked to two 9 mm pistols, five AK-47-type assault weapons and an AR-15 assault weapons, according to federal prosecutors and the FBI.

Martell knew some of the weapons were going to Mexico, and he sold at least two of the guns to individuals who could not legally possess them or who planned to use the weapons unlawfully, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

"The clear focus of these types of investigations is to prevent firearms from ending up in the hands of the Mexican cartels for use in their violent criminal enterprises," U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales said in a statement released by his office. "My office and our federal law enforcement partners are committed to stemming the southbound flow of firearms into Mexico and will prosecute anyone in New Mexico who engages in this type of illegal activity."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also joined in the investigation, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Lichvarcik.

In addition to the possible prison sentence, Martell also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release. He remains free on bond pending his sentencing.