J. Bishop Grewell Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado | U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has announced that Campbell Slayden, co-owner of Modern Arms & Optics LLC, has been sentenced to 50 months in federal prison. This follows his guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and possession of an unregistered firearm. His business partner, Anthony Gallegos, was previously sentenced to 36 months in federal prison on similar charges.
Both Slayden and Gallegos operated Modern Arms & Optics as a federally licensed firearms dealer at a residence in Denver and at various gun shows across Colorado. According to their plea agreements, they engaged in deceptive practices to mislead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) about their unlawful firearms manufacturing activities. Additionally, they were involved in "straw purchasing," where firearms are transferred to individuals not legally permitted to own them.
Straw purchases involve someone undergoing a background check who is not the actual buyer. This allows those prohibited from owning firearms or wishing to conceal their acquisitions to bypass necessary checks. Slayden and Gallegos facilitated this by sending electronic links for federal background check forms that could be completed privately by anyone with access.
The ATF's investigation led to additional convictions against other individuals connected with Modern Arms & Optics: Aurianna Aguilar, Leonel Castillo, Jacob Cohen, Glory Goodrich-Devere, and Dario Sanchez.
Acting United States Attorney J. Bishop Grewell stated: “Gun shop owners and dealers have a crucial role in ensuring that firearms do not fall into the hands of criminals. That role is to follow federal firearms laws.” He emphasized that failure to comply would lead to prosecution.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers remarked on the broader implications: “This case underscores the devastation of violent crime.” He affirmed ATF's commitment to using all resources available for community protection.
Judge Gordon P. Gallagher oversaw both sentencings following investigations by ATF and prosecutions led by Assistant United States Attorney Albert Buchman.
Case numbers for these proceedings are 24-cr-00034-GPG (Slayden) and 24-cr-00224-GPG (Gallegos).
