STAFF REPORTS
Riverside – A United Parcel Service driver was arrested on Fri., July 25, on federal gun trafficking charges for allegedly stealing dozens of guns going through the shipping company’s Ontario hub, and providing them to an associate who sold the weapons in underground transactions.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Curtis Hays, 36, of Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested without incident by special agents with the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). Hays was expected to be arraigned that same day in United States District Court.
The associate who allegedly sold some of the firearms – Dennis Dell White, Jr., 35, of Moreno Valley – will be summoned to appear in federal court for an arraignment in the coming weeks.
The 16-count indictment, which was filed on July 23, alleges that Hays stole a series of packages containing guns that were supposed to be delivered to the Turner’s Outdoorsman retailer in Rancho Cucamonga. The indictment also accused Hays of stealing jewelry and mobile phones that were supposed to be delivered to other retailers. This merchandise was also allegedly given to White.
Hays purportedly provided the firearms to White, who illegally sold the weapons to other individuals, and some of the guns were then sold to others. The firearms included 12-gauge shotguns and .45-caliber handguns.
Hays and White are charged with conspiracy; six counts of theft of firearms; six counts of receipt and possession of stolen firearms; and two counts of theft, receipt, and possession of goods in interstate commerce.
White is additionally charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
The conspiracy count carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The weapons charges each carry a potential penalty of 10 years in prison. The stolen goods charges each carry a maximum possible penalty of five years in prison. And, if convicted of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, White could face up to an additional 10 years in prison.
The investigation into the stolen firearms was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in conjunction with the Ontario Police Department.
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