4 sentenced in Columbus, NM gun smuggling case

Associated PressAssociated Press
Posted: 10/09/2012 09:16:11 PM MDT

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - Four people have been sentenced for their roles in a New Mexico gun smuggling ring that prosecutors say shipped nearly 200 guns to Mexican drug cartels.

Gabriela Gutierrez, the wife of former Columbus trustee Blas Gutierrez, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison under a plea agreement. Authorities say Gutierrez conspired with her husband and others to buy weapons that were intended to be smuggled into Mexico.

In addition, 42-year-old Alberto Rivera was sentenced to seven years for acting as a straw buyer. Thirty-one-year-old Miguel Carrillo was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison for making straw purchases and 26-year-old Manuel Ortega was sentenced to five years for smuggling at least 50 weapons.

4 sentenced in Columbus, NM gun smuggling case - El Paso Times