RIVERSIDE, California – A United Parcel Service driver was
arrested this afternoon on federal gun trafficking charges for allegedly
stealing dozens of guns going through the shipping company’s Ontario hub and
providing them to an associate who sold the weapons in underground
transactions.
Curtis Hays, 36, of Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested without
incident by special agents with the ATF. Hays is expected to be arraigned this
afternoon in United States District Court.
The associate who allegedly sold some of the firearms –
Dennis Dell White Jr., 35, of Moreno Valley – will be summoned to appear in
federal court for an arraignment in the coming weeks.
The 16-count indictment, which was filed on July 23, alleges
that Hays stole a series of packages containing guns that were supposed to be
delivered to Turner’s Outdoorsman in Rancho Cucamonga. The indictment also
accused Hays of stealing jewelry and mobile phones that were supposed to be
delivered to other retailers, and this merchandise also was allegedly given to
White.
Hays allegedly provided the firearms to White, who illegally
sold the weapons to other individuals, and some of the guns then were sold to
others. The firearms included 12-gauge shotguns and .45-caliber handguns.
Hays and White are charged with conspiracy; six counts of
theft of firearms; six counts of receipt and possession of stolen firearms; and
two counts of theft, receipt, and possession of good in interstate commerce.
White is additionally charged with being a felon in
possession of firearms and ammunition.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has
committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven
guilty in court.
The conspiracy count carries a statutory maximum penalty of
five years in federal prison. The weapons charges each carry a potential
penalty of 10 years in prison. The stolen goods charges each carry a maximum
possible penalty of five years in prison. And, if convicted of being a felon in
possession of firearms and ammunition, White could face up to an additional 10
years in prison.
The investigation into the stolen firearms was conducted by
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in conjunction with
the Ontario Police Department, the Moreno Valley Police Department and UPS
Security.
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