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EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – A federal grand jury in Arizona has brought charges against a man and a woman for allegedly providing false information during firearm purchases.
Court documents reveal that Nina Dallas initiated her firearm acquisitions on February 13, 2024, buying from multiple sellers around Phoenix. Over the span of 13 months, her purchases included Glock pistols, VSKA rifles (akin to the Russian Kalashnikov 7.62 caliber), and a Barrett .50-caliber rifle.
Authorities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border often classify the .50-caliber long barrel firearm as a sniper rifle due to its power and range.
Dallas reportedly completed the federal Form 4473 for each transaction, asserting that she was the genuine buyer or transferee and not purchasing the weapons for someone else. However, federal prosecutors claim she knew she was buying the firearms on behalf of another individual.
Providing false information on the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Form 4473 during gun purchases is a felony, carrying potential penalties of up to five years in prison and monetary fines. This illegal act is commonly known among federal officials as making “straw purchases.”
Federal officials also are looking for the forfeiture of the 42 firearms listed in the Feb. 10 indictment against Dallas.
Prosecutors are making similar allegations against Mario Perez Garcia.
Perez allegedly purchased two Barrett .50-caliber rifles in November and December 23 and an assortment of pistols and rifles through March 2024. The last two purchases included another .50-caliber Barrett and 4 VSKA rifles, court records show.
The federal government is seeking forfeiture of 27 guns and rifles from Perez.
Court records in both cases have been federally redacted. It’s not known if they are linked to each other.