Ex-Mayor of Columbus Pleads Guilty To Gun Smuggling

The former mayor of the New Mexico border town of Columbus has pleaded guilty to federal gun smuggling charges.

U.S. Attorney John E. Murphy announced Wednesday that 51-year-old Eddie Espinoza has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, three counts of making false statements in the acquisition of firearms, and three counts of smuggling firearms from the United States.

Murphy says Espinoza entered the plea Tuesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch in Las Cruces. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

Murphy, the town’s police chief and a Columbus trustee were among 12 people arrested in March in a federal sting.