Ian Garland, released from prison (Deming) – A former gun dealer who sold weapons to a Columbus-based ring that smuggled weapons into Mexico has been resentenced to a reduced prison term.
Ian Garland of Chaparral originally was sentenced to five years in prison but a court later ruled that the sentence was incorrectly calculated.
The El Paso Times reports that Garland was released in December after judge resentenced him to just over three years in prison.
Garland had pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and making false statements in connection with the smuggling ring centered in Columbus.
Federal prosecutors say some of the guns sold by Garland to smuggling ring members have shown up at homicide scenes and drug seizures south of the border.
Though he pleaded guilty, Garland contends the government should never have prosecuted him for facilitating the straw purchases of numerous weapons because he did nothing wrong.
He said he sold guns to people like the mayor and police chief, who were legally able to make such purchases, and that when he asked why they kept making purchases, they told him they were buying guns for their families to protect themselves against the drug cartel.
Garland said he filled out the correct paperwork required for firearms purchases, including the background checks.
Ian Garland of Chaparral originally was sentenced to five years in prison but a court later ruled that the sentence was incorrectly calculated.
The El Paso Times reports that Garland was released in December after judge resentenced him to just over three years in prison.
Garland had pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and making false statements in connection with the smuggling ring centered in Columbus.
Federal prosecutors say some of the guns sold by Garland to smuggling ring members have shown up at homicide scenes and drug seizures south of the border.
Though he pleaded guilty, Garland contends the government should never have prosecuted him for facilitating the straw purchases of numerous weapons because he did nothing wrong.
He said he sold guns to people like the mayor and police chief, who were legally able to make such purchases, and that when he asked why they kept making purchases, they told him they were buying guns for their families to protect themselves against the drug cartel.
Garland said he filled out the correct paperwork required for firearms purchases, including the background checks.
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