Three individuals indicted for illegal firearms trafficking (DOJ)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging three individuals with conspiracy to engage in illegal firearms trafficking, announced Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.

According to court documents,beginning on a date unknown but not later than September 18, 2025, Jean Paul Rivera-Vega, Christian Sebastián García-De Jesús, and Misael Costales-Soto, knowingly and willfully conspired and agreed to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. Defendants Jean Paul Rivera-Vega and Misael Costales-Soto acquired firearms and ammunitions from Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs), licensed under the provision of Chapter 44 of Title 18 by falsely claiming they were the actual buyers of the firearms.

Defendant Jean Paul Rivera-Vega sold firearms to others for profit, including to defendant Christian Sebastián García-De Jesús, who was not authorized to buy or possess firearms and ammunitions from FFLs because he did not have a valid license issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. García-De Jesús resold the firearms and ammunitions to unknown individuals for profit. The three defendants negotiated the sales and transfers of firearms amongst one another primarily via WhatsApp messages, videos, and audio recordings.

Between April and December 2025, Rivera-Vega purchased 144 firearms from FFLs and through private sales. Of the 144 firearms, approximately 16 have been recovered. The whereabouts of the remaining 128 firearms are unknown to law enforcement. Between December 2025 and July 2026, Costales-Soto purchased approximately 24 firearms from FFLs and through private sales. Of the 24 firearms, approximately 4 have been recovered. The whereabouts of the remaining 20 firearms are unknown to law enforcement. The investigation continues.

The defendants are charged with conspiracy to engage in firearms trafficking without a license, engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, and Costales-Soto with false statements during the purchase of a firearm. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the firearms trafficking charges, and ten years in prison for the false statements. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

"Today's indictment marks a significant step forward in our efforts to combat firearms trafficking in Puerto Rico," said Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó. "We will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the unlicensed sale of firearms, which too often facilitates the commission of violent crimes in our communities. This collaborative effort strengthens our violent-crime prevention strategy by apprehending those who place firearms in the hands of criminals."

"Illegal firearms trafficking threatens the safety of communities throughout Puerto Rico and too often places guns in the hands of those who use them to commit violent crimes," said Jason Stankiewicz, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Miami Field Division. "ATF remains committed to working alongside our partners to identify and hold these individuals accountable who are responsible for fueling gun violence across the island."

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is in charge of the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evangeline A. Dech and Pedro Casablanca of the Violent Crimes Section are in charge of the prosecution of the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.