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Gun smuggling suspect makes initial appearance in Yuma court

May 4, 2005

A 28-year-old Mexican national believed to be involved in an operation smuggling guns to Mexico made an initial appearance in Yuma County Justice Court Tuesday afternoon.

Juan Carlos Zurita-Vidal of Tijuana, Baja Calif., was advised of 21 felonies alleged against him. He was arrested Monday night by Yuma police.

Justice of the Peace pro tem David Cooper told Zurita-Vidal that YPD was requesting that the Yuma County Attorney charge him with 15 felony counts of possession of a weapon by a prohibited person. Other allegations included three different felony charges related to forgery, taking the identity of another, fraudulent schemes and possession of drug paraphernalia. There was also a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana.

Zurita-Vidal's next court appearance is at 1 p.m. Thursday. Prosecutors have until then to file a formal complaint, Cooper said.

Cooper set bond at $504,118. He said Zurita-Vidal could have no contact with any alleged victims.

Zurita-Vidal was arrested Monday after a traffic stop at 6:15 p.m. in the 400 block of East 32nd Street. YPD spokesman Clint Norred said the traffic stop was made because of the gun smuggling investigation, which began in April.

According to Norred, Zurita-Vidal had allegedly taken the identity of a relative from California and used it to obtain an Arizona driver's license.

Police said that since February, Zurita-Vidal had illegally purchased 15 weapons, including 10 assault rifles, with the intent to export them to Mexico. He is a prohibited possessor of firearms and has been deported previously.

During the hearing, Zurita-Vidal, speaking through an interpreter, asked Cooper if he would be assigned an attorney and if the charges were formal.

"You do not need an attorney," Cooper said. "These are merely allegations. You are a suspect at this time. You are not a defendant."

YPD continues to investigate the case. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call Detective Ross Nicolette at 373-4683 or 78-CRIME.