U.S. District Judge William Lynch ordered today that most defendants charged with being part of an illegal firearms trafficking ring be held without bond, the Las Cruces-Sun-News is reporting.
Those who will be held without bond, probably until trial, include Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza, Police Chief Angelo Vega and Trustee Blas Gutierrez. Only Gutierrez’s wife, Gabriela Gutierrez, and his cousin, Eva Lucie Gutierrez, were allowed to be released under supervision.
The defendants all entered pleas in the case today of not guilty.
Gutierrez is charged with 37 counts including one count of conspiracy, 17 counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, and 19 counts of firearms smuggling. Espinoza is charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of firearms smuggling, and three counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms. Vega is charged with one count of conspiracy.
Others charged include Ignacio Villalobos of Columbus, Ian Garland of Chaparral, Alberto Rivera of Columbus, Miguel Carrillo of Columbus, Ricardo Gutierrez of Columbus, Vicente Carreon of Columbus, and Manuel Ortega of Palomas, Mexico. All have been arrested but Villalobos, who remains at large.
The charges of conspiracy and making false statements each carry a maximum prison sentence of five years. The smuggling charges each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. Each charge carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
Read the full indictment here.