Five plead guilty in investigation into cocaine sales in Mississippi to purchase firearms, machine gun conversion devices to deliver to Mexico

Five individuals with ties to Mexico have pled guilty over the past month to felony offenses related to drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, and immigration offenses as a result of a law enforcement investigation involving sales of cocaine in Mississippi to purchase firearms and machine gun conversion devices for delivery to Mexico.

According to court documents, Rosendo Gonzalez Mora, 40, Jaime Bladimir Dela Cruz, 28, Oscar Gonzalez, 39, Juan Deferia Mondragon, 32, and Gabriel Guerrero Gallegos, 36, were indicted by a federal grand jury for various felony offenses as a result of a joint operation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.

Jaime Bladimir Dela Cruz, an American citizen residing in Richland, MS, pleaded guilty today to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Rosendo Gonzalez Mora, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty on June 17, 2024, to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Mora and Dela Cruz’s charges stemmed from their attempts to barter an exchange of cocaine for fully automatic firearms, machinegun conversion devices, and explosives. It was the intent of Mora and Dela Cruz to source firearms and explosives from Jackson, Mississippi, and deliver them to organized crime syndicates in Mexico.

Oscar Gonzalez, an American citizen residing in Jackson, MS, pleaded guilty on June 17, 2024, to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. His charges stem from his attempt to barter an exchange of cocaine for three machinegun conversion devices. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison with a maximum of life in prison.

Juan Deferia Mondragon and Gabriel Guerrero Gallegos, both citizens of Mexico, also pleaded guilty on June 17, 2024, to illegal re-entry of a previously removed alien for their unlawful return into the United States after being previously deported. Mondragon had been previously removed from the United States on three separate occasions. They each face a maximum sentence of two years in prison followed by possible deportation.

In addition to criminal prosecution, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi has seized numerous firearms, machinegun conversion devices, and over $200,000 of suspected drug trafficking proceeds as a result of this investigation. After discoveries made during the execution of various search warrants during the investigation, the Department of Justice has also initiated legal proceedings to seize over twenty acres of real property in Hinds County, Mississippi used in furtherance of the firearms and drug trafficking scheme as well as an illegal animal fighting venture involving over 200 illegally owned fighting chickens.

“These charges demonstrate how transnational criminals are reaching even into Mississippi to obtain the weapons they are using to fuel violence abroad and in the United States,” said United States Attorney Todd Gee. “I want to thank all the federal, state, and local law enforcement agents that helped investigate and dismantle this international firearms trafficking network.”

“ATF will continue to lead in investigating and disrupting firearms trafficking as we bring our expertise and resources to enhance law enforcement’s collectively ability to disrupt deadly weapons trafficking between Mississippi and Mexico,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The guilty pleas from these five individuals send a strong message to drug and gun traffickers that ATF will work tirelessly to protect our communities and hold accountable those who threaten our safety.”

“This case highlights the dangerous intersection of drug trafficking and firearms smuggling,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer, with the Drug Enforcement Administration New Orleans Division. “These transnational criminal organization not only fuel addiction in our communities, but they also put weapons in the hands of violent criminals, both here and abroad.”

“These individuals, who were willing to trade illicit, deadly narcotics in exchange for firearms and explosives intended for Mexican organized crime syndicates, showed complete disregard for the safety of our communities and willingness to contribute to international violent crime,” said HSI New Orleans acting Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune. “This case is a great example of how HSI leverages its unique transnational authorities, alongside our local, state, and federal partners, to disrupt narcotics and firearms traffickers.”

“The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms and gambling,” Special Agent-in-Charge Dax Roberson of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General said. “Together with the Department of Justice, animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures.”

Mora, Gonzalez, Mondragon, and Gallegos are scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2024. Dela Cruz is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General are investigating the case with assistance from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Mississippi Agricultural & Livestock Theft Bureau, the Jackson Police Department, and the Capitol Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel Goff and Matthew Allen are prosecuting the case.