Felon Arrested For Possessing Guns and Selling Drugs During ATF Undercover Operation

STOCKTON, Calif., April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), San Francisco Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Scot Thomasson announced Manolo Reyes was arrested Thursday afternoon in Stockton after selling guns and controlled substances during an ATF undercover operation.

Reyes, 30, a resident of Stockton has been charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and one count of possessing a controlled substance specifically methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Mario Able Raya (a second defendant who has not been arrested) has been charged with one count of dealing firearms without a license, one count of being a felon being in possession of a firearm, and two counts of possessing a controlled substance specifically methamphetamine with intent to distribute. 

According to the criminal complaint, beginning in November 2011 to January 2012, ATF conducted a proactive firearms and drug trafficking investigation and made undercover purchases of methamphetamine and several firearms from Raya and Reyes including, three stolen handguns and one stolen shotgun.  ATF Agents seized four additional firearms as a result of the arrest.  Three additional suspects were arrested along with Reyes and are facing state charges for unlawfully possessing firearms and a controlled substance.

Reyes appeared Friday in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, Calif. on a criminal complaint alleging the above-mentioned violations.  Both Raya and Reyes are prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  This investigation was conducted by the ATF and Task Force Officers from Stockton Police Department and the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hemesath .

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating firearms violations.  More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives