A Nevada man pleaded guilty to buying high-powered firearms and ammunition for drug-trafficking organizations in Mexico, according to federal officials. Prosecutors said Luis Alberto Osorio and alleged co-defendants acquired 140 firearms, magazines and rounds between April 2020 and September 2025. The weapons included .50-caliber rifles and other military-style firearms. Osorio also pleaded guilty to money laundering and employing people illegally at a Nevada mining company.
The case is being handled through a federal Homeland Security Task Force initiative focused on disrupting weapons, drug and financial networks connected to organized crime. Osorio’s sentencing is scheduled for February, and the charges carry a statutory maximum of up to 70 years in prison.
| 1) | Guilty plea covers firearms trafficking and related offenses |
| 2) | Weapons allegedly destined for Mexican criminal groups |
| 3) | Case involved powerful rifles, magazines and ammunition |
| 4) | Federal agencies link weapons flows to cartel violence |
| 5) | Sentencing is scheduled for February |
Guilty plea covers firearms trafficking and related offenses
Luis Alberto Osorio, of Elko, Nevada, pleaded guilty on Friday to one count each of straw purchasing firearms, trafficking firearms, harboring certain aliens and conspiring to launder money. The case concerns conduct prosecutors say occurred between April 2020 and September 2025. Osorio admitted to acquiring firearms and ammunition on behalf of others and helping move proceeds connected to the transactions.
He also admitted employing people illegally at a Nevada mining company. The combined charges carry a statutory maximum of up to 70 years in prison, although the ultimate sentence will be determined by the court under applicable law and sentencing procedures.
Weapons allegedly destined for Mexican criminal groups
According to court documents, Osorio conspired with co-defendants to purchase weapons for individuals affiliated with violent Mexican drug-trafficking organizations. The firearms, magazines and ammunition were allegedly intended to be sold south of the U.S.-Mexico border for profit.
Federal officials described the alleged scheme as part of a supply chain that provides criminal organizations with weapons used to protect illicit operations and expand their capabilities. The purchases were made in the United States, while the intended market was in Mexico.
Case involved powerful rifles, magazines and ammunition
The 140 firearms included large-caliber and long-range weapons identified in court records. Listed firearms included the Ohio Ordnance Works M2-SLR .50 BMG, Barrett M82A1 and M107A1 .50 BMG antimateriel rifles, the FN Herstal M249S 5.56x45mm rifle and the FN Herstal SCAR 17S 7.62x51mm rifle.
The case also included magazines and ammunition. The selection of weapons led investigators to characterize the alleged trafficking as involving military-style firearms, rather than only conventional handguns or sporting rifles.
Federal agencies link weapons flows to cartel violence
Federal officials said firearms trafficking supports drug-trafficking organizations and contributes to violence affecting communities on both sides of the border. Sigal Chattah, first assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada, said disrupting the supply chain would target the operational capabilities of criminal organizations.
“Firearms trafficking networks feed the violent cartels that terrorize border communities and pump illicit drugs into our neighborhoods.”
Jonathan Sherwin, deputy special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Las Vegas, said the guilty plea followed work by federal, state and local partners. David S. Olesky, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles Field Division, said the division’s jurisdiction includes Nevada and that weapons and drug trafficking frequently operate together.
Sentencing is scheduled for February
Osorio is scheduled to be sentenced in February in federal court. The prosecution is part of a Homeland Security Task Force initiative created through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office last year.
The task force brings together federal agencies and other partners to investigate networks involving drugs, firearms, money and related criminal support. Osorio’s guilty plea resolves his criminal responsibility for the charged conduct, while the court will determine the sentence after considering the applicable factors.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Osorio pleaded guilty to four federal counts. |
| 2 | Authorities said 140 firearms, magazines and ammunition were acquired for Mexican drug-trafficking organizations. |
| 3 | The weapons included several .50-caliber and other military-style rifles. |
| 4 | The charges carry a statutory maximum of up to 70 years in prison. |
Summary
The Nevada case highlights a federal effort to stop weapons from being purchased in the United States and transferred to Mexican drug-trafficking organizations. Osorio’s guilty plea covers firearms trafficking, straw purchasing, money laundering and illegal employment conduct. His February sentencing will determine the penalties imposed by the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Luis Alberto Osorio?
Luis Alberto Osorio is an Elko, Nevada, man who pleaded guilty to federal charges involving firearms trafficking, straw purchasing, money laundering and harboring certain aliens.
How many firearms were involved?
Federal officials said Osorio and alleged co-defendants acquired 140 firearms, along with magazines and ammunition, between April 2020 and September 2025.
What sentence could Osorio face?
The charges carry a statutory maximum of up to 70 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for February.