HOUSTON — A woman with ties to the Houston area has been convicted of multiple criminal offenses related to conspiring with others to make straw purchases of firearms including multiple AR-15 style rifles, 9 mm handguns and a .50-caliber rifle with the intent to smuggle them to Mexico.
The investigation that led to the conviction was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Department of Commerce and the Department of State.
Karina Deluna, 37, was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas following a four-day trial of one count of conspiracy and seven counts of making false statements to licensed firearms dealers.
“Military-grade firearms like the .50-caliber rifle involved in these straw purchases that are subsequently smuggled into Mexico often end up in the hands of the drug cartels, terrorist organizations and other transnational criminal organizations,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson. “From there, the firearms are often used to carry out violent criminal or political objectives and to exert control over the public. By interdicting these illicitly procured southbound firearms and holding the individuals involved in this conspiracy accountable, we have successfully dismantled their firearm smuggling operation and prevented these high-powered weapons from getting into the wrong hands.”
During the hearing it was shown that from approximately Sept. 29, 2018, through at least Aug. 11, 2022, Deluna conspired with others to knowingly make false written statements to licensed firearms dealers with the intent to purchase firearms for another person — also known as straw purchasing. Deluna and her co-conspirators conducted straw purchases of at least 13 firearms, including multiple AR-15 style rifles, 9 mm handguns and a .50-caliber rifle. Testimony revealed Deluna’s co-conspirators intended to export the illegally obtained firearms to Mexico.
The jury also heard that on Aug. 11, 2022, law enforcement discovered that conspirators were picking up a straw purchased Barrett .50-caliber rifle from a federal firearms licensee in Houston. Authorities quickly responded and seized the $9,000 firearm from Deluna and others. The investigation revealed it had been destined for Mexico.
During trial, the jury also heard from experts regarding the regulations and various licensing requirements necessary for exporting firearms to Mexico. The jury also saw the straw purchased .50-caliber rifle.
Deluna is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 19. At that time, she faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Previously released on bond, Deluna was taken into custody following her convictions, where she will remain pending sentencing.
ATF Mexico provided substantial assistance in recovering some of the straw purchased weapons.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron Black are prosecuting the case.
For more news and information on HSI’s efforts to aggressively investigate firearms smuggling in Southeast Texas follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSIHouston.