Four people are facing federal charges after being accused of taking part in a scheme to buy AK-47s and other high-powered weapons.
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) agents arrested four out of nine people named in the scheme on Thursday.
The four arrested suspects were identified as:
• Anthony Cecilio Jaramillo, 28, Harlingen
• Irene Viera, 24, Harlingen
• Alonzo Sepulveda Jr, 22, La Paloma
• Rodolfo Villasana, 26, El Ranchito
The four suspects and five others, whose names were remain sealed, were all indicted by a federal grand jury back in February.
Action 4 News obtained a copy of the 17-page, 14-count indictment.
Federal prosecutors believe the group participated in an illegal scheme to buy AK-47s, 9 mm handguns and other high-powered weapons back in 2010.
It's not clear where the weapons ended up but the indictments shows that Jaramillo worked as a recruiter.
According to the indictment, the gun buyers gave Viera, Sepulveda and Villasana money to buy the guns at area gun stores.
The three received $100 to $200 dollars extra for each gun they bought.
The case remained sealed until ATF agents arrested Jamarillo, Viera, Sepulveda and Villasana.
All four suspects appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan in Brownsville on Friday morning.
If convicted, the four could face up to five years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 dollar fine.
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