Jefferson Reporter

A North Dakota man was sentenced Tuesday for a firearms trafficking scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.

U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Juan Antonio Duran, 29, of Watford City, North Dakota, to 80 months in prison. In January, Duran pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide a false statement to a federal firearm licensee (FFL), false statement during the purchase of a firearm, straw purchasing a firearm, and firearms trafficking.

In January, Jose Nicolas Flores, 31, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide a false statement to an FFL, false statement during the purchase of a firearm, straw purchasing a firearm, and firearms trafficking. The sentencing hearing for Flores is scheduled for August 29, 2024.

According to related court documents, between May 9 and May 11, 2023, Duran conspired with Flores to purchase at least three firearms from an FFL in the Northern District of Alabama. Flores falsified documents by stating that he was the actual buyer when he was buying the firearms for Duran. On May 9, after Duran and Flores traveled into Alabama, Flores attempted to purchase three Barrett .50 caliber rifles from the FFL but was told the transaction was delayed pending completion of a background check. Instead, Flores purchased the FFL’s entire stock of Barrett .50 caliber rifle magazines for $2,769 cash. The next day, the FFL called Duran and Flores and informed them that the background check was complete and the transfer could proceed. On May 11, Duran and Flores returned to the FFL from out of state. Flores recertified the document stating that he was the actual buyer and provided approximately $31,000 in cash before being detained by ATF agents. Flores told ATF agents that he received bulk cash from Duran for buying firearms for him. Meanwhile, Duran was detained while moving their vehicle in anticipation of receiving the rifles.

During a search of Duran’s property, agents found a receipt for three Barrett .50 caliber rifles purchased by another person from an FFL in Grimes, Iowa on April 28 for $35,843.91.

The ATF investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles; Homeland Security Investigations provided translation and technical support; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel S. McBrayer and Brittney L. Plyler prosecuted.