Eddie Espinoza, 53 (Deming) – The former Columbus mayor convicted of smuggling firearms to Mexico has been released early from federal prison.
The Albuquerque Journal reported that 53-year-old Eddie Espinoza served about a year of his four-year sentence for conspiracy, firearms trafficking and making false statements in purchasing firearms.
Prisons spokesman Ed Ross said Espinoza was released November 26th for good conduct and will remain under probation supervision for three years.
A joint investigation in 2011 by U.S. and Mexico law enforcement agencies nabbed a gun-smuggling ring of more than a dozen people. Along with Espinoza, former Columbus Police Chief Angelo Vega and former village trustee Blas “Woody” Gutierrez were among the defendants who pleaded guilty in the case.
Espinoza admitted he bought 16 firearms from a gun store in Chaparral and lied on federal forms, saying he was the buyer when he knew the guns were headed to criminals in Mexico. Espinoza allowed Gutierrez and others to use vehicles belonging to the municipality to transport straw—purchased firearms to Mexico, according to the Justice Department.
Private ownership of weapons is illegal in Mexico, with few exceptions.
Espinoza pleaded guilty in July on 2011 and entered prison on October 15th, 2012.
Officials of the U.S. Marshals office and U.S. Probation office in Albuquerque declined to provide information on Espinoza’s current whereabouts.
The Albuquerque Journal reported that 53-year-old Eddie Espinoza served about a year of his four-year sentence for conspiracy, firearms trafficking and making false statements in purchasing firearms.
Prisons spokesman Ed Ross said Espinoza was released November 26th for good conduct and will remain under probation supervision for three years.
A joint investigation in 2011 by U.S. and Mexico law enforcement agencies nabbed a gun-smuggling ring of more than a dozen people. Along with Espinoza, former Columbus Police Chief Angelo Vega and former village trustee Blas “Woody” Gutierrez were among the defendants who pleaded guilty in the case.
Espinoza admitted he bought 16 firearms from a gun store in Chaparral and lied on federal forms, saying he was the buyer when he knew the guns were headed to criminals in Mexico. Espinoza allowed Gutierrez and others to use vehicles belonging to the municipality to transport straw—purchased firearms to Mexico, according to the Justice Department.
Private ownership of weapons is illegal in Mexico, with few exceptions.
Espinoza pleaded guilty in July on 2011 and entered prison on October 15th, 2012.
Officials of the U.S. Marshals office and U.S. Probation office in Albuquerque declined to provide information on Espinoza’s current whereabouts.
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