Felon Who Repeatedly Illegally Possessed and Sold Firearms Sentenced to Over Three Years in Prison
Defendant Sold Assault Rifles and Stolen Weapon to Person Working with Law Enforcement
A convicted felon who repeatedly sold guns to a person working with law enforcement was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. IRVIN J. MORENO, 23, of Arlington, Washington pleaded guilty in November 2011, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. At sentencing U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Zilly told MORENO that due to his prior conviction, MORENO is not entitled to legally possess, let alone sell, firearms.
According to records filed in the case, MORENO repeatedly sold high powered weapons to a person working with law enforcement. MORENO was prohibited from possessing weapons because of a 2008 conviction for possession of cocaine. The first sale occurred in June 2011, when the purchaser went to an Everett storage facility. At the storage facility MORENO provided the purchaser with a .223 caliber semi-automatic assault rifle. The purchaser paid $1,000 for the rifle. Just over a week later, the purchaser again met at the Everett storage locker with MORENO and purchased two rifles – a Sturm and Ruger Company Mini 14 .223 caliber rifle, and an SKS 7.62 caliber rifle. Agents determined the Mini 14 had been stolen. In late July 2011, the purchaser bought a fourth firearm, an AK-47 Mak-90. The purchase was made at Southcenter Mall in Tukwila. Finally, in mid September 2011, a fourth deal was set up. The purchaser was buying an SKS-style assault rifle and a Browning semiautomatic 9 mm pistol when MORENO was arrested.
In asking for a significant sentence, prosecutors noted that a search of MORENO’s residence turned up gang paraphernalia consistent with association with the Surenos street gang.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyn Johnson and Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Pittman.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.
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