Attorney General Mayes Announces Prison Sentence For Meth Trafficker Found with AR-15

PHOENIX – Today, Attorney General Kris Mayes announces her office has secured a five year prison sentence for Luis Fernando Gaxiola-Simons on two felony counts—Transportation of a Dangerous Drug for Sale and Misconduct Involving Weapons.

"In addition to fentanyl and carfentanil, we're stopping an increasing number of transnational drug traffickers transporting methamphetamine and cocaine through Arizona," said Attorney General Mayes. "My criminal division remains laser-focused on prosecuting individuals responsible for the scourge of drugs coming over our Southern border. If you are trafficking drugs through Arizona, you will be found, and you will be held accountable."

On May 23, 2025, Luis Fernando Gaxiola-Simons was stopped for a traffic violation in Phoenix.  In between the passenger seat and center console, officers could see an AR-15 in plain view.  A search of Gaxiola-Simons’s car revealed 15 burrito-shaped packages of meth, containing a total of 15.54 pounds of the illegal drug. The AR-15 was found to be defaced and Gaxiola-Simons had three loaded magazines in his possession. 

On June 2, 2025 a State Grand Jury indicted Defendant on two felony counts—Transportation of a Dangerous Drug for Sale and Misconduct Involving Weapons. On September 29, 2025, Defendant was sentenced to 5 calendar years in prison and ordered to pay a total fine and surcharge of $5,370.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Brett George.

A copy of the indictment is here. A copy of the defendant's photo is available here.