An undocumented Honduran national was convicted by a federal jury in Fort Pierce for a firearms trafficking operation, where firearms bought in South Florida would be smuggled back to Honduras, officials said.
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Luis Matute Figueroa, 33, was found guilty of conspiracy and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
According to court records, Matute Figueroa, who lived in Lake Worth, conspired with four other people to get guns in the U.S. through straw purchases. After getting the guns, they were then illegally exported to Honduras.
Officials said Matute Figueroa overstayed a tourist visa in 2017 and remained in the U.S. He was the one who organized for the guns to be trafficked.
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During the investigation, WhatsApp messages that were recovered showed Matute Figueroa giving the co-conspirators firearm inventories, pricing information and shipping instructions to Honduras.
In the messages, there was a picture and a video of Matute Figueroa with a gold Colt 1911 pistol.
Since Matute Figueroa was undocumented, he was not allowed to own any firearms.
For the conspiracy charge, Matute Figueroa could face up to five years in prison and up to 15 years for the firearm possession count.
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