U.S. Coast Guard officer convicted of operating illegal firearms business
Related Story
A chief petty officer with the U.S. Coast Guard was convicted Wednesday of running a firearms sales business without a license, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Matthew Keith Staton admitted he sold five Palmetto State Armory “Build the Wall” .308 caliber rifles to San Benito resident Luis Enrique Vallejo, according to a news release.
Vallejo, 41, was a former law enforcement officer who was federally convicted for his role in attempting to export the same firearms into Mexico with the serial numbers removed, according to the release.
U.S. District Judge Olvera accepted Staton's guilty plea and set sentencing for May 31.
Staton faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Vallejo has already been sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for his crime.
News
