A U.S. Army soldier who used his uniform to buy weapons for the Mexican drug cartels and who actually delivered the weapons to the cartels in an official Army vehicle will be exchanging his uniform for a federal prison jumpsuit for the next 16 years, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Former Sergeant Julian Prezas, 37, who worked as an Army recruiter in San Antonio, pleaded guilty to five counts of making false statements during the purchase of firearms, and one count of attempting to export defense articles without obtaining the required license.Federal prosecutors say between April and August of 2015, Prezas engaged three other soldiers as 'straw buyers,' to illegally purchase over forty high powered rifles. Prezas they, 'while in uniform and in a government vehicle' delivered the firearms to multiple individuals, one of whom was driving them to members of Mexico's ultra-violent Gulf Cartel.
The three 'straw buyers' have pleaded guilty and have received probation.
"It is deeply troubling that a member of the United States military fragrantly violated federal firearms laws, and engaged three other servicemen in a straw purchasing scheme," ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski said. "This defendant was keenly aware that the firearms were destined for the Gulf Cartel in Mexico."
Federal prosecutors say the Army Criminal Investigation Command investigated the case.