Edson Aregullin has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for unlawfully purchasing firearms intended for transport from Georgia to Mexico. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg commented on the impact of illegal firearms trafficking, stating, "Illegal firearms trafficking wreaks havoc in communities within and outside our district." He emphasized the importance of collaboration with federal law enforcement partners to curb the illegal flow of firearms.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka remarked on the dangers posed by illegal firearms crossing borders: "Every illegal firearm that crosses our border becomes a weapon of destruction in the wrong hands." Kolodka affirmed ATF's commitment to dismantling these criminal networks.
Court documents revealed that Aregullin conspired with individuals in Mexico to purchase over 150 firearms from dealers in Georgia's Northern District. These included 9mm pistols and AR-style rifles. Aregullin received instructions from his contacts in Mexico regarding specific makes and models and used funds from a buyer in Mexico to purchase the weapons, which he then transported to Mexico.
The illegally acquired guns were used in violent crimes, including an incident on April 21, 2022, where a .223 caliber rifle purchased by Aregullin was recovered after a deadly confrontation between police and armed combatants in Guanajuato, Mexico. The encounter resulted in eight deaths and four injuries.
On May 22, 2025, United States District Judge Steven D. Grimberg sentenced Edson Aregullin, a Mexican national previously residing in Atlanta, Georgia, to 71 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In November 2024, Aregullin pled guilty to charges including Conspiracy to Traffic in Firearms and False Statements to a Federal Firearms Licensee.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Gabay-Smith prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative uniting various levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN aims to foster trust within communities while supporting organizations that prevent violence.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
