Update: Appeal Refused in Smuggling Case

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A federal judge refused an appeal from a man linked to a major weapons smuggling case in Columbus. The village is located about 60 miles from El Paso.

U.S. District Judge Robert Brack declined to release Ian Garland last week. He said Garland was a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Garland is one of a dozen people indicted in the case. Also facing charges are Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza, Police Chief A.I. Vega and Trustee Blas Gutierrez.

All 12 people are accused of purchasing about 200 firearms from a Chaparral gun store to illegally export them to Mexico.

Espinoza, Vega and Gutierrez have pleaded not guilty. Vega, who’s been suspended without pay, is scheduled for a hearing Thursday in federal court in Las Cruces.