Laredo Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Firearm to Felon and Illegally Manufacturing Guns
A 32-year-old Laredo man, Ricardo Estevis Jr., has pleaded guilty to selling a firearm to a felon and illegally manufacturing firearms without a license, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced. Estevis, the operating officer of Rick’s Armory LLC, admitted to the illegal activities following a federal search warrant executed on February 15.
During the search of Estevis’s home and business, law enforcement discovered at least 13 firearms that Estevis had manufactured in violation of federal laws. These firearms were not compatible with his dealer-only federal firearms license and included guns that could only be made or possessed with a special license.
Estevis also admitted to selling a pistol to a five-time convicted felon, further abusing his firearm dealer license. After his arrest, he surrendered his federal firearms license and agreed to cease acquiring and transferring firearms as of April 24.
Estevis faces up to 15 years in prison for the illegal sale of the firearm, in addition to a maximum $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña will determine his sentencing at a later date. Estevis remains on bond pending sentencing.
The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility, Laredo Police Department, and Webb County Sheriff’s Department.
