A Whittier resident, Salvador Lopez, 24, has been sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for his involvement in the illegal sale of untraceable firearms and plotting an armed robbery against a federal informant. United States District Judge Percy Anderson also ordered Lopez to pay $2,000 in restitution.

Lopez had admitted guilt in October 2024 to charges of dealing firearms without a license and committing armed robbery using a dangerous weapon. "Selling firearms illegally and putting more untraceable weapons into the community shows a blatant disregard for the law and puts the safety of our citizens at great risk," stated United States Attorney Martin Estrada. He added that Lopez's sentence should serve as a warning against violent gun crime.

Ivan Quintos, 27, from Azusa, also pleaded guilty in connection with this case to one count of firearms trafficking. His sentencing is set for April 14 and he could face up to 15 years in federal prison.

Two other defendants, Mark Perez, 23, and Zachary Dry, 24, both from Henderson, Nevada, also pleaded guilty last October. Dry is scheduled for sentencing on February 3 while Perez will be sentenced on March 24.

The defendants coordinated their firearm sales via Instagram. The transactions included "ghost guns" and "Glock switches," as well as stolen firearms or those with obliterated serial numbers. These illegal activities took place in North Hollywood, Las Vegas, among other locations.

Lopez was involved in selling or facilitating the sale of fifteen firearms to law enforcement agents or their associates without holding any federal firearm licenses himself or among his co-defendants. In one instance involving a confidential informant working with federal law enforcement agencies, Lopez orchestrated an armed robbery instead of completing a gun sale by instructing a minor accomplice to rob the informant at gunpoint.

Operation Safe Cities aims to strategically target significant drivers of violent crime by focusing on illicit guns and repeat offenders causing public safety concerns across regions through increased arrests and prosecutions.

This case was investigated by several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Baldwin Park Police Department; and Los Angeles Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William M. Larsen handled the prosecution.