Mexican national guilty in firearms case


 by Brennan Smith - Feb. 1, 2012 06:38 PM

The Arizona Republic-12 News Breaking News Team
A Mexican man pleaded guilty Tuesday to being an alien unlawfully in possession of a firearm in a federal District Court in Phoenix.

Ramon Arturo Amaya-Salazar, 38, brought a .50-caliber Bushmaster rifle into the United States under a non-immigrant visa on June 2.

Amaya-Salazar had been issued a border-crossing card that allowed him to travel within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexican border but not to possess a firearm while in this country, said Bill Solomon, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Amaya-Salazar could face 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both, Solomon said.

Sentencing is set for April 16.



AZ Central