Ex-agent admits to firearms violations in Texas

Associated Press - June 13, 2008 4:45 PM ET

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A now-former Drug Enforcement Administration agent in South Texas faces up to 15 years in prison for lying about the buyers of firearms.

Prosecutors announced 58-year-old Celerino "Cele" Castillo III of McAllen pleaded guilty Friday in San Antonio.

Castillo pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to obtain firearms by false statement during a firearms purchase and obtaining firearms by false statement during a firearms purchase.

Castillo also could be fined $500,000 over the violations from December 2006 until March 2008.

Prosecutors say Castillo conspired to obtain weapons from registered dealers by providing false information on ATF certification forms concerning the purchasers.

Details on the real buyers were not immediately released.

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