SACRAMENTO, CA - A Sacramento man faces federal charges after prosecutors said he bought guns in Nevada that he sold to a gang member in California.
Federal authorities on Tuesday arrested 27-year-old Dejon Andrade on suspicion of illegally dealing firearms, interstate travel with intent to unlawfully deal in firearms and other charges.
"The individuals who illegally buy and sell firearms across state lines to arm dangerous gangsters are just as responsible for the violent crimes committed by the criminals as those who pull the triggers on these ill-gotten weapons," Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Riehl said.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner said Andrade was barred from buying guns in California because he is on parole, so he instead used fake identification on federal firearm purchase forms to get them in Reno, Nev.
On Feb. 1, agents searched Andrade's home in Sacramento and found a Sturm Ruger, Model 95, 9 mm pistol, and a Smith and Wesson, Model SD40VE, .40-caliber pistol that were bought in Reno, the criminal complaint described. Agents looked through Andrade's cellphone and found many photos of pistols and rifles with text messages and emails about buying and selling the guns.
Nearly two weeks later, police in Elk Grove said they arrested a known gang member after he led police on a car chase and then a foot chase while throwing away a gun he was carrying. The complaint showed that police recovered the discarded gun, which was a Ruger, Model P94, .40-caliber pistol that Andrade had purchased in Reno in January.
Andrade's arrest came after a joint investigation by the ATF, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department and the Sacramento Police Department.
If convicted, Andrade faces up to 10 years in prison for interstate gun dealing.
News10/KXTV and The Associated Press