Victor Jose Marino Pullo, a 24-year-old citizen of Ecuador, has been arrested and charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm. The charge carries a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, the arrest took place after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers encountered Marino Pullo at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry on November 25, 2025. He was driving a U-Haul box truck while moving from Connecticut to Buffalo and was following GPS directions that led him onto the Peace Bridge. Although he did not enter Canada, he turned around on the bridge and was then inspected by CBP officers.
Marino Pullo and another individual were sent for secondary inspection due to lacking proper immigration documents. During this process, an officer found pictures on Marino Pullo’s cell phone showing him holding a pistol. A subsequent search of the U-Haul truck uncovered a loaded pistol inside a cardboard box filled with clothes.
Record checks showed that Marino Pullo had previously been encountered by U.S. Border Patrol on four occasions and had been removed from the United States each time.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola is handling the case. The investigation involved Customs and Border Protection under Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
"The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty," according to authorities.
