ORLANDO, Fla. — A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando investigation has led to an indictment for smuggling firearms from the United States to Canada.
Jonen Castillo, 23, of Orlando, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Castillo that the United States intends to forfeit a Smith and Wesson firearm and four Glock firearms, which are alleged to be involved in the offense.
According to the indictment, between June 10 and June 29, 2023, Castillo concealed and attempted to export firearms from the United States to Canada, contrary to U.S. laws.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by HSI Orlando and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: Fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.