Special to the NEWS
A U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer has been convicted of running a firearms sales business without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani late Wednesday.
According to a statement by the U.S. Department of Justice, Matthew Keith Staton was not a licensed dealer of firearms. However, he admitted he sold five Palmetto State Armory “Build the Wall” .308 caliber rifles to Luis Enrique Vallejo. Vallejo, 41, of San Benito, was a former law enforcement officer who was federally convicted for his role in attempting to export the same firearms into Mexico with the serial numbers removed.
At the time of the incident, Staton was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard and is currently an E7 chief petty officer.
U.S. District Judge Olvera accepted the plea and has set sentencing for May 31. At that time, Staton faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
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