Seven people involved in a gun trafficking operation were sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, according to an April 22 announcement from U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Six of the defendants pleaded guilty, while Jincheng Shi was convicted by a jury.
The sentencing follows an investigation into illegal firearms manufacturing and distribution that authorities say spanned several cities in Central Florida beginning as early as September 2023. The case highlights ongoing efforts to address gun trafficking and related crimes in the region.
Victor Manuel LaFontaine Ruiz received the longest sentence—17 years and four months—for his role in leading the conspiracy, including brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Other sentences ranged from three years and ten months to seven years and eight months for convictions on charges such as possession of machineguns, unlicensed gun dealing, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of firearms by prohibited persons.
According to court documents, LaFontaine Ruiz and Jose Emanuel Maldonado Rodriguez operated their ring without any federally licensed firearms dealers involved. They assembled weapons using parts sourced from Jincheng Shi—a Chinese national admitted under a non-immigrant visa—and used specialized machinery at Maldonado’s property in Kissimmee to manufacture semi-automatic and automatic firearms. The group sold these weapons—including fully automatic guns and machinegun conversion devices—to illegal aliens and convicted felons who often brokered deals for unknown customers.
Law enforcement executed five search warrants on February 20, 2025, recovering multiple AR-style pistols with fake serial numbers at Maldonado’s residence along with conversion devices and assembly equipment. Additional weapons were found at residences connected to other defendants along with drug paraphernalia at some locations.
The case was investigated by federal agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), assisted by several local law enforcement agencies across Central Florida. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Felicetta and Dana Hill prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating criminal organizations, and reducing violent crime.
