LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Jose G. Medina, 48, of Leesburg, Florida, has been arrested and charged with making false statements in connection with firearm purchases and causing a licensed dealer to maintain false records. If convicted, Medina could face up to 15 years in prison.
The charges stem from an investigation that found Medina purchased 82 firearms in the Middle District of Florida in 2023, exceeding his reported annual income.
Some of these firearms were later intercepted at the U.S.-Mexico border, with individuals attempting to transport them into Mexico.
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One instance involved 10 handguns, 9 rifles, 7 shotguns, 20 magazines, and ammunition, while another involved five firearms.
The investigation also revealed that a firearm purchased by an associate of Medina was recently recovered and traced by Mexican law enforcement.
Medina’s alleged actions are part of a broader issue of firearms being smuggled into Mexico, often ending up in the hands of criminal organizations. U.S. authorities are actively working to combat this illegal trade, which contributes to violence in Mexico and poses a threat to public safety on both sides of the border.
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