Norwalk man allegedly sold machine gun to undercover agent

NORWALK - A Norwalk man was one of three people arrested last week after allegedly selling high-powered weapons - including a machine gun - to undercover federal agents.The undercover operation began in May 2010 when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) allegedly purchased six firearms, including a machine gun, a sawed-off shotgun and a stolen .50-caliber handgun. The undercover agents purchased the weapons after using an informant to infiltrate a group that was allegedly selling the guns in Norwalk and Bellflower. Federal agents arrested David Martinez, 28, of Norwalk; Gerardo Perez, 27, of Bellflower; and Francisco Jimenez, 22, of Bell Gardens. All three were charged with conspiracy to sell firearms without a license. Martinez and Perez face additional charges of possessing an unregistered firearm - the machine gun. If convicted, Martinez faces 40 years in prison, while Jimenez and Perez could receive 20 years.

********** Published: May 31, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 07