LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A federal jury Tuesday convicted a Los Angeles man of participating in a scheme that illegally sold 27 guns, including a "Glock switch" that converts a semiautomatic firearm to a machine gun.
Following a five-day trial, William Nirion Peña, 40, who resides in the Koreatown neighborhood, was found guilty of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Evidence showed that Peña provided about 10 of the firearms and a substantial amount of ammunition that were sold by a co-conspirator to an undercover agent. The firearms included two silencers without serial numbers and the Glock switch.
A second defendant -- Ellourth Eladio Simon 32, of the Mid-City neighborhood of Los Angeles -- pleaded guilty on May 25 to one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and one count of possessing a machine gun. Simon specifically admitted engaging in eight illegal gun transactions, several of which involved multiple firearms, including a Nov. 10, 2021, sale for $8,400 in which Simon sold an ATF undercover agent four handguns and a ghost gun AR-type rifle, according to papers filed in Los Angeles federal court.
From at least September 2021 until late February 2022, Peña provided Simon with information about the prices and nature of numerous firearms -- frequently sending photographs of firearms that Simon could sell to Simon's gun customers, prosecutors said.
"Peña and Simon frequently coordinated efforts to sell (guns to the undercover agent) by communication over the phone about the price and availability of firearms and firearms components, and arranging the logistics of specific sales to customers during evening transaction in supermarket parking lots and similar locations," according to court documents.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that Peña was obtaining firearms from sources in other states, primarily Arizona.
Peña is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu on Sept. 18, at which time Peña will face up to five years in federal prison.
Simon is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 10. As a result of his guilty pleas, Simon faces up to 15 years behind bars, prosecutors noted.
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