ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man has pleaded guilty to federal charges of dealing firearms without a license and possessing illegal machine gun conversion devices.
Joe Jasso, 20, was identified by the ATF through his distinctive hand tattoos on Instagram, where he was found to be selling these illegal devices.
In December 2022, the ATF flagged Jasso’s Instagram account for allegedly selling machine gun conversion devices. These devices modify firearms to fire fully automatic.
Although Jasso deleted his account in January 2023, he was soon found operating a new account with the same identifying tattoos.
Undercover detectives from the Albuquerque Police Department contacted Jasso through Instagram, arranging a controlled purchase.
During the transaction, Jasso demonstrated how to install the conversion devices, confirming their ability to enable fully automatic fire. He also offered to procure an assault rifle auto sear for the undercover officer.
On February 16, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Jasso’s residence, seizing ten firearms, five machine gun conversion devices, a large amount of ammunition, numerous magazines, and a 3D printer.
Jasso admitted to knowingly selling the conversion devices without a license as per to the sources covered by Yahoo
Jasso remains in custody awaiting sentencing, where he faces up to 10 years in prison and up to three years of supervised release. His co-defendant, Rachael Jasso, is scheduled to stand trial on July 8, 2024.
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The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized the severe penalties for dealing in illegal firearm conversion devices, highlighting the significant public safety risks posed by such actions.