Nine individuals have been charged in connection with a conspiracy to make false statements during the purchase of firearms, according to a federal criminal complaint announced on January 27, 2026. The accused include Jorge Alain Corona of Gilroy, California; Alejandro Corona, Jonathan Ventura Bravo, Marvin Agustin Teutle, Jesus Roberto Corella Mares, Rosario Agustin Teutle, April Denise Corral Aldecoa, Linda-Ana Grace Camarillo, and Jose Ruben Quiroz from various locations in Arizona and Montana.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine commented on the case: “This case exposes a scheme to lie, buy, and funnel dangerous firearms into the hands of nefarious actors, including trafficking firearms across our southern border. It is particularly alarming when these weapons are intended for use by criminal organizations. This office will continue working in tandem with our law enforcement partners to block the flow of illegal firearms to those who would use them to harm others.”
Shawn Stallo, acting special agent in charge for the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), stated: “Straw purchasers aren’t just lying on a form- they’re often putting firearms directly onto the hands of criminals. Straw purchasing is a serious felony that can carry penalties of up to 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.”
Matthew Murphy from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona added: “Straw purchasing undermines public safety by intentionally concealing the identity of the actual offender and defeating lawful safeguards. HSI and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the public, thoroughly investigating this criminal activity and reviewing all facts objectively and with integrity — because community safety depends on it.”
The complaint alleges that between March 2020 and January 2024, these individuals worked together to unlawfully acquire firearms by making false representations at the time of purchase. They allegedly claimed to be buying guns for themselves but were actually obtaining them for others. The investigation found more than 15 firearms were straw purchased as part of this conspiracy. Among these were at least three Barrett .50 caliber rifles and ten belt-fed semi-automatic rifles intended for smuggling into Mexico.
Authorities seized six illegally obtained firearms on July 26, 2023. On March 24, 2025, Mexican authorities confiscated another firearm linked to this case.
This investigation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative under Executive Order 14159 (“Protecting the American People Against Invasion”). The HSTF brings together multiple agencies—including ATF and HSI—to address crimes committed by cartels and transnational organizations both within the United States and abroad.
Prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Travis L. Wheeler and Bradley Baugher from the District of Arizona’s U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix.
Officials emphasized that a criminal complaint is only an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
For more information about ongoing cases or initiatives from this office visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
