Odessans Accused Of Trying To Smuggle Weapons Into Mexico
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: January 8, 2013
ODESSA -- Three Odessans are facing federal charges, after they allegedly tried to smuggle weapons into Mexico.
Brian Connell, Miguel Compean and Michelle Compean are charged with conspiracy to smuggle firearms.
Miguel Compean, 32, is also charged with four counts of providing fraudulent or fictitious information while purchasing a firearm, one count of making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm (straw purchasing) and, two counts of aggravated identity theft.
Michelle Compean, 27, is also charged with one count of providing fraudulent or fictitious information while purchasing a firearm.
Connell, 28, is also charged with two counts of making false statements in the acquisition of a firearm (straw purchasing).
Connell was arrested in Roswell, NM on January 7th.
Miguel Compean had previously been arrested on state charges in Texas, and Michelle Compean was arrested by federal authorities last month in Greenville.
An indictment claims that the three Odessans conspired to buy 100 firearms -- including AK-47 style rifles and pistols -- from dealers in Odessa, Fort Worth, Dallas, Brenham and Mesquite.
The purchases -- which reportedly began in December 2011 and continued for 13 months -- were reportedly made so the weapons could be smuggled by Miguel Compean to Mexico.
Miguel Compean allegedly recruited Michelle Compean (who is his wife) and Connell to buy firearms on his behalf.
As a result of the request, Michelle Compean and Connell both allegedly made false statements on ATF Form 4473 at the time of a firearm purchase -- by claiming to be the actual buyer of the weapon.
Miguel Compean reportedly paid Connell $300 for each weapon purchased for him.
Miguel Compean also allegedly purchased firearms for himself by using a relative's name, date of birth and social security number.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents investigated the case for the U.S. Government.
If convicted, Connell, Miguel Compean and Michelle Compean face up to 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge, up to 5 years in federal prison for each charge of providing false information while purchasing a firearm and up to 10 years in federal prison for each charge of making false statement during a firearms purchase (straw purchasing).
Miguel Compean would also face 2 years in federal prison for each charge of aggravated identity theft. Those aggravated identity theft sentences would be served back-to-back.
All 3 defendants will appear in federal court in Midland on January 9th.
Brian Connell, Miguel Compean and Michelle Compean are charged with conspiracy to smuggle firearms.
Miguel Compean, 32, is also charged with four counts of providing fraudulent or fictitious information while purchasing a firearm, one count of making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm (straw purchasing) and, two counts of aggravated identity theft.
Michelle Compean, 27, is also charged with one count of providing fraudulent or fictitious information while purchasing a firearm.
Connell, 28, is also charged with two counts of making false statements in the acquisition of a firearm (straw purchasing).
Connell was arrested in Roswell, NM on January 7th.
Miguel Compean had previously been arrested on state charges in Texas, and Michelle Compean was arrested by federal authorities last month in Greenville.
An indictment claims that the three Odessans conspired to buy 100 firearms -- including AK-47 style rifles and pistols -- from dealers in Odessa, Fort Worth, Dallas, Brenham and Mesquite.
The purchases -- which reportedly began in December 2011 and continued for 13 months -- were reportedly made so the weapons could be smuggled by Miguel Compean to Mexico.
Miguel Compean allegedly recruited Michelle Compean (who is his wife) and Connell to buy firearms on his behalf.
As a result of the request, Michelle Compean and Connell both allegedly made false statements on ATF Form 4473 at the time of a firearm purchase -- by claiming to be the actual buyer of the weapon.
Miguel Compean reportedly paid Connell $300 for each weapon purchased for him.
Miguel Compean also allegedly purchased firearms for himself by using a relative's name, date of birth and social security number.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents investigated the case for the U.S. Government.
If convicted, Connell, Miguel Compean and Michelle Compean face up to 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge, up to 5 years in federal prison for each charge of providing false information while purchasing a firearm and up to 10 years in federal prison for each charge of making false statement during a firearms purchase (straw purchasing).
Miguel Compean would also face 2 years in federal prison for each charge of aggravated identity theft. Those aggravated identity theft sentences would be served back-to-back.
All 3 defendants will appear in federal court in Midland on January 9th.
