© Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News
A former Army recruiter from San Antonio has admitted he funneled dozens of assault rifles to operatives of Mexico's Gulf Cartel last year by organizing other soldiers to help him buy the weapons.
Sgt.
Julian Prezas, who is facing a disciplinary discharge from the military, pleaded guilty in two separate cases Monday to a total of five counts of lying on federal firearms forms and attempting to export defense articles to Mexico.
Prezas, 36, acknowledged acquiring 42 guns — 23 of which were seized and forfeited to the government during the investigation. However, a co-defendant who became an informant told agents with the
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms that Prezas sold him 13 AR-15s, some 50 to 60 AK-47s and a shotgun last year.
That co-defendant, who was not identified in court documents, told agents he met Prezas after Prezas posted on a Facebook group he had 1,000 magazines of ammunition for sale in the Rio Grande Valley, Prezas' plea deal said.
The co-defendant bought the ammunition and asked for more, court documents said. Prezas also began selling him rifles with the serial numbers obliterated — and the co-defendant told Prezas that the guns were going to Mexico, the plea deal stated.
Comment: Full dependence on the state is mandatory. No semblance of freedom allowed.