A federal grand jury indicted Jean Paul Rivera Vega, Christian Sebastián García de Jesús and Misael Costales Soto on charges of conspiring to illegally traffic firearms and engaging in unlicensed gun dealing. Costales Soto also faces a charge of making false statements during a weapons purchase. Prosecutors allege the men bought firearms and ammunition from federally licensed (FFL) dealers under Chapter 44, Title 18, falsely claiming to be the actual buyers, then resold the weapons without required licenses.
The activity allegedly began by an unknown date but no later than September 18, 2025. Rivera Vega allegedly sold weapons for profit to others, including García de Jesús, who lacked a valid Puerto Rico license to buy or possess firearms and allegedly resold them to unidentified individuals. The three coordinated sales and transfers mainly via WhatsApp messages, videos and audio recordings.
Between April and December 2025, Rivera Vega bought 144 firearms from licensed dealers and private sales; only about 16 have been recovered, with 128 unaccounted for. Between December 2025 and July 2026, Costales Soto bought about 24 firearms; only about four have been recovered, leaving 20 unaccounted for. The investigation continues.