SOLDIERS AT EL CAJON ARMORY ARRESTED ON WEAPONS SALE CHARGES

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East County News Service

April 16, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Two Army National Guard soldiers from East County were arrested Wednesday and charged with selling weaponry including assault rifles, ammunition and body armor to undercover agents who posed as Mexican drug cartel members.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the suspects, Jaime Casillas, 22, of El Cajon and Sergeant Andrew Reyes, 34, of La Mesa wore their uniforms during at least one transaction, which means they can be prosecuted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Reyes allegedly purchased some of the weapons in Texas and boasted to the undercover agent that a pistol had been used to “do a job” in Mexico. Other items were from a U.S. military inventory, court documents indicate.

The pair face charges of dealing in firearms without a federal license. Reyes is also charged with unlawful transportation of weapons. Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The Guardsmen have been taken to a federal prison in downtown San Diego awaiting arraignment on Thursday.


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