(Deming) -- (LOCAL UPDATE) - Four people from Columbus and Palomas, Mexico, have been sentenced for their roles in a Columbus gun smuggling ring that prosecutors say shipped nearly 200 guns to Mexican drug cartels.
Gabriela Gutierrez, the wife of former Columbus trustee Blas “Woody” Gutierrez, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison under a plea agreement. Authorities say Gutierrez conspired with her husband and others
to buy weapons that were intended to be smuggled into Mexico.
In addition, 42-year-old Alberto Rivera of Columbus was sentenced to seven years for acting as a straw buyer… 31-year-old Miguel Carrillo of Columbus was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison for making straw purchases… and 27-year-old Manuel Ortega of Palomas was sentenced to five years for smuggling at least 50 weapons.
Court records indicate the four were involved in a firearms straw purchasing and smuggling scheme spearheaded by former Village of Columbus Trustee Blas Gutierrez from July 2010 to February 2011.
To date, eight of 12 convicted defendants in the case have been sentenced. Former Columbus Police Chief Angelo Vega, Blas Gutierrez, Ricardo Gutierrez and Eva Gutierrez are still awaiting
sentencing.
Gabriela Gutierrez, the wife of former Columbus trustee Blas “Woody” Gutierrez, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison under a plea agreement. Authorities say Gutierrez conspired with her husband and others
to buy weapons that were intended to be smuggled into Mexico.
In addition, 42-year-old Alberto Rivera of Columbus was sentenced to seven years for acting as a straw buyer… 31-year-old Miguel Carrillo of Columbus was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison for making straw purchases… and 27-year-old Manuel Ortega of Palomas was sentenced to five years for smuggling at least 50 weapons.
Court records indicate the four were involved in a firearms straw purchasing and smuggling scheme spearheaded by former Village of Columbus Trustee Blas Gutierrez from July 2010 to February 2011.
To date, eight of 12 convicted defendants in the case have been sentenced. Former Columbus Police Chief Angelo Vega, Blas Gutierrez, Ricardo Gutierrez and Eva Gutierrez are still awaiting
sentencing.
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