Attorney General Mayes Announces Indictments in Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy

PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that a State Grand Jury has indicted twenty defendants for their alleged involvement in a large-scale firearms trafficking conspiracy that supplied weapons to drug trafficking organizations in Mexico.

Between May 4, 2024, and February 13, 2025, Luis Castaneda, Victor Garcia, and Aaron Villescaz-Chavira conspired with others, including Michelle Iniguez, Hakeem Sharp, Sedona Rice, Marianne Rice, and Selena Bustillos, to unlawfully acquire firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) for export to Mexico. The defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly provided funds to purchase firearms and compensated straw purchasers who forged ATF forms to conceal the true purchasers.

The indictment alleges that the trafficking organization obtained approximately 334 firearms during the course of the conspiracy. Law enforcement tracing through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) eTrace system revealed that many of these firearms have been recovered in Mexico.

The charges include Misconduct Involving Weapons and other felony offenses in violation of Arizona law.

The case was investigated by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office Special Investigations Section with assistance from the ATF and the Phoenix Police Department Gun Squad.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. A copy of the indictment is available here.

Luis Castaneda Booking Photo
Victor Garcia Booking Photo
Aaron Villescaz-Chavira Booking Photo
Michelle Iniguez Booking Photo
Hakeem Sharp Booking Photo
Sedona Rice Booking Photo
Marianne Rice Booking Photo
Selena Bustillos Booking Photo