HSI Douglas probe leads to man's 24-month sentence in connection with firearms purchases
DOUGLAS, Ariz. — A judge sentenced an Arizona man to 2 years in prison and 36 months of supervised release following in investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Kevin Durazo, 23, of Douglas, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting making false statements in connection with acquisition of a firearm and one count of making false statements in connection with acquisition of a firearm.
“People who make false statements in connection with the purchase of firearms need to understand that not only is falsifying documents illegal but that it is also highlight likely that those firearms are being used to commit violent crimes, often against innocent victims,” said HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown. “HSI is laser focused on combating firearms crime.”
On Oct. 5, 2021, Durazo and co-defendant Mario Edoardo Ramirez Chavez, 22, of Mexico, traveled to Tucson from Douglas to purchase firearms. Durazo gave Chavez money to purchase a rifle from a licensed firearms dealer. Chavez filled out paperwork indicating that he was the actual buyer, despite acquiring it at Durazo’s request and direction, and purchased the rifle. Durazo then purchased a 9mm pistol from another licensed firearms dealer. Durazo filled out the required paperwork and stated that he was purchasing the firearm for himself, but he was acquiring it for someone else. HSI Arizona subsequently arrested the two men at the Douglas Port of Entry during their attempt to smuggle a 9mm pistol into Mexico.
Chavez pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the United States and making false statements in connection with the purchase of firearms. Judge John C. Hinderaker sentenced Chavez on Oct. 7, 2022, to 16 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Assistant United States Attorney Adam D. Rossi, District of Arizona, Tucson, prosecuted the case.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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