Shelbyville man sentenced to 5 years for firearms conspiracy, dealing, smuggling and false statements (DOJ)

Louisville, KY - A Shelbyville, Kentucky, man was sentenced on August 6, 2026, to 5 years in prison for conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license, dealing in firearms without a license, attempted smuggling of firearms from the United States and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting of the Homeland Security Investigations Nashville, Acting Special Agent in Charge Bobby Kuszynski of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Detroit Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.

Luis Garcia, 29, of Shelbyville, Kentucky, was sentenced to 5 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license, dealing in firearms without a license, attempted smuggling of firearms from the United States and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.

From April 8, 2021, to January 12, 2024, Garcia conspired with others to obtain firearms by means of false and fictitious statements; engaged in the business of dealing in firearms without a license; and obtained money and profit by illegally dealing in firearms without a license and exporting firearms from the United States to Honduras. During the conspiracy, Garcia purchased 83 firearms from various firearms dealers in Hardin, Jefferson and Nelson Counties. At the time of purchase for each firearm, Garcia made a false and fictitious written statement to a licensed dealer of firearms that he was the actual purchaser of the firearm.

On November 14, 2023, a package containing 7 firearms purchased by Garcia was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The package was examined by U.S Customs and Border Protection. After x-ray inspection of the package revealed unusual materials, the package was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Inside a large box of household items, a DeWalt Planer contained 7 firearms and magazines shipped to Honduras.

United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, "Illegal firearms trafficking to third-world countries serves to arm drug cartels and fuels violence throughout the Western Hemisphere. In turn, these cartels attempt to flood the United States with poisonous drugs that undermine society and destroy lives. We will continue to combat illegal firearms trafficking by aggressively prosecuting these defendants."

ATF Special Agent in Charge John Nokes stated, "Federal firearms laws are designed to facilitate the lawful sale and transfer of firearms while preventing prohibited individuals from obtaining them. Garcia knowingly violated those laws by illegally purchasing firearms and smuggling them out of the United States. ATF remains committed to working alongside our partners on the HSTF to aggressively investigate firearms trafficking and straw purchasing schemes while disrupting the illegal flow of firearms."

"Illegal firearms trafficking is a serious threat that extends beyond our borders and fuels transnational criminal activity," said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting. "This sentence reflects HSI's commitment to working with our federal, state and local partners to investigate those who illegally acquire, conceal and attempt to export firearms from the United States."

"The illegal trafficking and smuggling of firearms not only threatens public safety but also undermines the integrity of our financial systems. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to disrupt criminal networks that profit from these dangerous schemes. Today's sentencing demonstrates our resolve to follow the money, dismantle illicit operations, and protect communities both here and abroad," said Robert Kuszynski, Acting Special Agent in Charge for IRS-CI Detroit.

"Illegally trafficked firearms are far more likely to end up in the hands of people who use them to commit crimes," said Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey. "This case is a great example of what we can accomplish when local and federal agencies work together to stop illegal activity and hold those responsible accountable."

There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the ATF Louisville Field Division, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, DEA Louisville Field Division and the Louisville Metro Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erwin Roberts prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Louisville comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, and IRS, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky.

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