Former Columbus, NM Mayor Sentenced In Federal Firearms Trafficking Case

Eddie Espinoza, former Village of Columbus, New Mexico mayor, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison in connection with a firearms straw purchasing and trafficking operation, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

United States District Judge Robert C. Brack also ordered that Espinoza be placed under supervised release for three years after completing his prison term.

In July 2011, Espinoza 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.

By pleading guilty, Espinoza admitted that from January 2010 to March 2011, he conspired with others in a firearms straw purchasing and trafficking operation.

During today’s sentencing hearing, it was revealed that Espinoza purchased a total 16 firearms from Chaparral Guns in Chaparral, NM, and while doing so, falsely stated on ATF Form 4473’s that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms, when in fact, he knew that the purchased firearms were illegally destined to people in Mexico.

Also revealed during today’s hearing was that as part of the conspiracy, Espinoza had agreed to allow former Village of Columbus Trustee Blas Gutierrez and others to use city-owned vehicles to transport straw-purchased firearms to Mexico.

Espinoza is the fourth of 12 convicted defendants to be sentenced in this case. No other sentencing dates have been scheduled.