Thread: Law enforcement agents raid gun store near Deming N.M.

Law enforcement agents raid gun store near Deming

By Bill Armendariz/Deming Headlight
Posted: 08/30/2011 02:18:45 PM MDT

An unidentified Department of Homeland Security agent walks toward the cargo opening of New Deal Shooting Sports located south of Deming, New Mexico (Matt Robinson / Deming Headlight)Multiple law enforcement agents raided the New Deal Shooting Sports store south of Deming Tuesday morning and reportedly uncovered a bunker stored with ammunition.
Agents were seen "gearing up in Deming" by one eye witness at approximately 7 a.m. A convoy of armored agents set out south on the Columbus Highway just before 8 a.m.

According to agents working within the barbed wire-enclosed complex owned by Rick and Terri Reese, four armored personnel carriers and two helicopters participated in the morning raid.

By noon, agents were seen shuffling in and out of the Reese residence and the actual gun store to take inventory and evidence at the scene.

Four arrests were made, according to an official, but the charges were not released.

New Deal, located at 6600 Ventura Road SE, is near Rockhound State Park, at the foothills of the Florida Mountains. Agents from ICE, DEA, DHS and Luna County participated in the raid.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_18788548

They own gun store and they have a large store of ammunition. Is it illegal to have a large store of ammunition?

It would be interesting to know why they were raided.

UPDATED: Agents raid New Deal Shooting Sports in Las Cruces, Deming (6:15 p.m.)

Owner, family placed under arrest
By Ashley Meeks/ameeks@lcsun-news.com
Posted: 08/30/2011 02:15:50 PM MDT

Click photo to enlargeAn unidentified Department of Homeland Security agent walks... (Matt Robinson/Headlight Photo)«1234»

LAS CRUCES - A family with two border-area gun stores was arrested early Tuesday on federal charges they were illegally selling guns and ammunition to Mexican cartel members.

Rick Reese, a federal firearms licensee and the owner of New Deal Shooting Sports II on Amador Avenue and New Deal Shooting Sports in Deming, his wife Terri and their two sons Ryin and Remington were arrested Tuesday morning in Las Cruces.

The four reportedly sold weapons allegedly favored by Mexican cartels - 27 AK-47-type rifles, three AR-15 rifles, two .50 caliber rifles, and two 9 mm pistols - to undercover agents after their alleged smuggling activities were uncovered, according to the indictment. In the 30-count indictment, which was unsealed Tuesday, Rick Reese, 55, Terri Reese, 48, 24-year-old Ryin Reese and 19-year-old Remington Reese are charged variously with conspiring to smuggle firearms and make false statements, firearms smuggling and money laundering from April 2010 until July 2011.

Referring to the March raid and subsequent federal case against the former police chief, mayor, village trustee and 13 others centered in a border town south of Deming, Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos on Tuesday called the alleged crimes "very similar to what's going on in Columbus."

Federal agents began their raids on the Reeses' properties early Tuesday morning and carried on their investigation into the afternoon. Helicopters and armored personnel carriers took part in the Deming raid at around 7 a.m., while federal agents were also seen searching the Reeses' barbed wire-fortified, off-the-grid compound south of Deming, which sits on dozens of acres, has a windmill, power generators, storage sheds and an open garage with several military-style vehicles parked inside.
In Las Cruces, witnesses saw uniformed and plainclothes officers surround the Amador Avenue store - which just held its grand opening Aug. 1 - at around 8:30 a.m. A manager at ABC Party World next door, who declined to give her name, said she saw "quite a few" officers and was shocked at the news of the raid in Deming.

"You couldn't have had nicer boys over there, always saying 'yes, ma'am,' 'no, ma'am,'" said the woman, who said the Reeses were still expecting their shipment of firearms to stock the Las Cruces store. "We're just kind of stunned. At first, I didn't know what was going on. The whole family was real nice."

Customers were still showing up at the business into Tuesday afternoon, puzzled at the store's sudden closure.

"Yesterday, I found out they had opened up in this location," said Las Crucen Bruce Cranmer. "I needed some reloading supplies, so I went down to pick them up."

Instead, Cranmer and others found just a darkened storefront.

The indictment against the Reeses is the result of a investigation spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations that later expanded to include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney's Las Cruces office.

In July 2010, Ryin Reese allegedly sold 18 firearms to an individual who arranged to smuggle them into Mexico - and into the hands of Mexican cartel members, according to the indictment. He also allegedly assisted a straw purchaser - someone who purchases firearms under false pretenses - in completing ATF firearms. On Aug. 28, 2010, after receiving a notice from law enforcement that a firearm sold by New Deal had been recovered, Terri Reese allegedly told this straw purchaser about the notice and expressed concern that her phones were being monitored by law enforcement.

Law enforcement became aware of the alleged crimes in mid-December 2010.

On six subsequent occasions between April 20 and July 29, this year, the Reeses allegedly sold 16 firearms and more than 7,000 rounds of ammunition - removed from its packaging and concealed in black canvas bags - to a confidential informant and undercover agents, thinking the buyers intended to illegally smuggle the firearms and ammunition into Mexico. In the process, they allegedly assisted the undercover buyers in providing untrue information on ATF firearms transaction records. All firearms and ammunition purchased by the confidential informant and undercover agents have been retained as evidence.

In a prepared statement issued Thursday, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales blasted the Reese family's alleged crimes.

"Those who sell firearms knowing that they will be illegally smuggled into Mexico to arm Mexican cartels share responsibility for the violence that has been devastating Mexico," Gonzales said. "This case serves to put firearms dealers on notice that they will be held accountable for any failure to comply with federal firearms laws designed to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and to assure the safety of citizens both here and abroad."

The picture seems to be a vast departure from a profile of Reese and his then 11-year-old store in a 2005 edition of Desert Exposure. In the article, the former teacher touted the importance of being prepared in case of a "societal meltdown" and being alert, especially in his line of work.

"I've had a couple of situations when the hairs on the back of my head stood on end," Reese told the Silver City magazine. "A couple of individuals walked in, bam!, instant alert. You can pretty much read your clientele. Luckily, there are almost always a few law-enforcement personnel who are here or close to here all the time."

Reese also had a few critical words to say about American gun-control policy.

"Look at Washington, D.C.," he told Desert Exposure. "Some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but it doesn't stop illegal guns. It stops only the honest citizen who tries to go through the government's gun check. It's the murder capital of the world, for crying out loud!"

If convicted, Rick Reese, who is charged in five counts of the indictment, could face 60 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. Terri Reese, who is charged in seven counts of the indictment, could face 80 years in prison and $2 million in fines. Ryin Reese, who is charged in 18 counts of the indictment, could face 160 years in prison and $4 million in fines. And Remington Reese, who is charged in nine counts of the indictment, could face 105 years in prison and $2.5 million in fines.

The government is seeking not only the forfeiture of the Reeses' firearms, ammunition and proceeds, but also the New Deal property, assets and licenses and a monetary judgment of $36,000.

The four are scheduled to make their initial appearances in federal court in Las Cruces at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Lichvarcik and Michael Nammar, and was investigated with the support of the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, New Mexico State Police, the Las Cruces Police Department and the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office.

Charges in indictments are only accusations. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Deming Headlight writer Matt Robinson contributed to this article.

Ashley Meeks can be reached at (575) 541-5462

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_18787924?s ... ost_viewed

Originally Posted by Newmexican

It would be interesting to know why they were raided.

From 6:15 UPDATE

A family with two border-area gun stores was arrested early Tuesday on federal charges they were illegally selling guns and ammunition to Mexican cartel members.

Federal Authorities Raid Gun Shop Outside Deming

POSTED: 3:24 pm MDT August 30, 2011

DEMING, N.M. -- Federal agents raided a southern New Mexico gun store Tuesday morning and arrested four people, officials.

ICE agents along with Homeland Security Investigators raided the New Deal Shooting Sports, which is located near Rockhound State Park.

The owner of the store, along with three others, was arrested by agents in Las Cruces, but charges have not been released. The four are accused of selling firearms to people who would then smuggle them into Mexico, an ICE spokesman told ABC-7.

The Deming Headlight reported that the agents were accompanied by four armored personnel carriers and two helicopters. The newspaper said authorities reportedly uncovered a bunker of ammunition in the barbed wire complex owned by Rick and Terri Reese. Agents were also seen shuffling in and out of the Reese residence, the newspaper said.

The shop is less than 30 miles north of the border town of Columbus, where three town officials recently pleaded guilty to charges of smuggling guns across the border.

http://www.kvia.com/news/29030421/detail.html

The shop is less than 30 miles north of the border town of Columbus, where three town officials recently pleaded guilty to charges of smuggling guns across the border.

RELATED
N.M. police chief, mayor, trustee caught in federal sweep
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-230949-columbus.html

I think that the comments from the people in the community are interesting.

Mark as SpamReport as Abuse
Robert Mullan · Las Cruces, New Mexico
Something smells fishy here. And it is not the Reeses

.

Mark as SpamReport as Abuse
Dusty Sensiba · Top Commenter · Las Cruces, New Mexico
Yup, take Waco for example. I mean if there's no doubt they can play cop, judge and executioner, right?

Mark as SpamReport as Abuse

Jennifer Milton Flores · Groomer at Arts pet grooming 14 years now
I used to be a Luna County Sheriff Deputy there and know the Reese family very well. They were constitutionalists who cared more about our border security than the F$%^ing government. Not too many years ago, I saved up to buy an FN 5.7 handgun and was surprised that Rick still had it for sale when I was ready to buy it. Rick told me that he had "unsavory gang member types" that wanted to buy it and he refused. They should be investigating Sheriff Raymond Cobos... And what about his other employees, they didn't know what was "ALLEGEDLY" going on? God bless you Rick and your family and may justice prevail somehow for you through this messed up system.
5 · Like· Reply · 12 hours ago
Add a Reply.....

Mark as SpamReport as Abuse
Marc EllvingerI don't trust anything the Napolitano secret police do. DHS, ICE, and DEA had no place in this raid this was BATFE and FBI territory and none of them could be found IE SHADY.

Mark as SpamReport as Abuse

Kourtney Jaure · Western New Mexico University
Ok, I've known the family for years! And the last thing they would do is sell to someone who is going to be taking it to Mexico. How do you know ones intents? Sure I bought stuff from them INCLUDING an AR 15! Oh what am I in the mexican cartel now? Get real and if you don't know them, STFU.
3 · Like· Reply · 15 hours ago

Brian RodriguezI've been dealing with this family for close to 10 years and there accusations are contrary to the people who have helped me with my purchases, but then again since I have an AK-type weapon, an AR-15, a 9mm, and my last name I must be a cartel member right?

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_18787924?s ... ost_viewed

People who are breaking the law
and don't want to go to prison
usually keep that information from all of their friends, neighbors and customers.

I.C.E. News Release

August 30, 2011
Las Cruces, NM

Owners/operators of Deming, N.M., gun shop arrested on federal firearms-smuggling and money-laundering charges

Owner of 'New Deal Shooting Sports' and his family allegedly sold firearms and ammunition knowing they would be smuggled into Mexico

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -On Tuesday morning, the owner of a Deming, N.M. gun shop, his wife and their two sons were arrested on firearms-smuggling and money-laundering charges in a 30-count indictment unsealed the same day. These arrests were the result of an intense seven-month investigation that was spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and later expanded to include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Attorney's Las Cruces Branch Office.

Rick Reese, 55, the holder of a federal firearms license and owner/operator of Old Ironsides LLC (doing business as "New Deal Shooting Sports" (New Deal)) was arrested Tuesday morning in Las Cruces, N.M. His wife, Terri Reese, 48, and his sons, Ryin Reese, 24, and Remington Reese, 19, all of whom assisted in operating New Deal, were also arrested that morning. All four defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearances in the federal courthouse on Sept. 1.

The indictment alleges that, between April 2010 and July 2011, the defendants conspired to make false statements in connection with acquiring firearms and illegally exporting them to Mexico. It also charges them with conspiring unlawfully to launder proceeds from the sales of firearms and ammunition illegally exported from the United States to Mexico. The indictment seeks forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition involved in the defendants' alleged unlawful activities, the proceeds of their alleged unlawful activities, the real property on which New Deal is located, New Deal's assets and licenses, and a money judgment in the amount of $36,000.

According to the indictment, in July and August 2010, Ryin Reese sold 18 firearms to an individual who arranged to smuggle them into Mexico, where they were transferred into the hands of Mexican Cartel members. The indictment further alleges that, on six occasions between April 20 and July 29, 2011, the defendants sold an aggregate of 16 firearms and more than 7,000 rounds of ammunition to a confidential informant and undercover agents with the understanding that the informant and agents intended to illegally smuggle the firearms and ammunition into Mexico. The defendants allegedly removed the ammunition from its original packaging and repackaged the ammunition in black canvas bags to conceal it from law enforcement. The defendants also allegedly assisted the confidential informant and undercover agents in completing ATF firearms transaction records in which the informant and agents falsely represented that they were the actual purchasers of the firearms.

According to the indictment, the firearms sold by the defendants included 27 AK-47-type rifles, three AR-15 rifles, two .50 caliber rifles, and two 9mm pistols, weapons allegedly favored by Mexican Cartels.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales, District of New Mexico, and Manuel Oyola-Torres, special agent in charge of HIS in El Paso, Texas, announced the arrests.

U.S. Attorney Gonzales said, "Those who sell firearms, knowing that they will be illegally smuggled into Mexico to arm Mexican Cartels, share responsibility for the violence that has been devastating Mexico. This case serves to put firearms dealers on notice that they will be held accountable for any failure to comply with federal firearms laws designed to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and to assure the safety of citizens both here and abroad."

"Individuals and businesses involved in smuggling weapons and ammunition to Mexico are contributing to violence and criminal activity," added Oyola-Torres. "Preventing the flow of drugs, weapons, money and other contraband across our borders is a national security priority for HSI."

Federal law enforcement officials first became aware of the defendants' alleged unlawful activities in mid-December 2010. Since that time, no firearms or ammunition sold by the defendants were transferred to Mexico or any non-law enforcement entity. All firearms and ammunition purchased by the confidential informant and undercover agents were retained as evidence.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Lichvarcik and Michael Nammar. ICE HSI led the investigation with support from ATF, the U.S. Marshal's Service, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, New Mexico State Police, and the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office.

Charges in indictments are only accusations. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1108/1 ... cruces.htm