Mesa Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Plotting to Acquire Deadly .50-Caliber Sniper Rifle and Machine Gun

A 27-year-old man from the Mesa area has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison following his attempt to purchase illegal firearms and his involvement in drug possession. Nestor Hernandez-Morales received the 96-month sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Angela M. Martinez during a hearing held on November 19 in Tucson.

Hernandez-Morales pleaded guilty in June to several charges, including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and attempting to smuggle firearms to support drug trafficking. He was arrested after an undercover operation where he paid $26,000 for two rifles, including a .50-caliber sniper rifle and a belt-fed semi-automatic rifle.

Authorities apprehended Hernandez-Morales following the transaction, which was part of an ongoing undercover sting operation. A search of his residence later uncovered 6.6 kilograms of methamphetamine and a Beretta handgun that he claimed was for self-protection as he dealt with drugs and firearms.

In December 2022, he initiated plans to buy 15 AK-47-patterned rifles, a .50-caliber sniper rifle, and an FN 249 rifle after meeting with an undercover officer from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The .50-caliber rifles are notably sought after by drug cartels for their long-range accuracy and destructive capabilities.

On February 1, 2023, Hernandez-Morales executed the purchase of the firearms. Despite a previous felony conviction for transporting narcotics that barred him from legally acquiring weapons, he possessed several firearms at the time of his arrest, including various rifles and handguns.

This case is part of a broader initiative against organized crime in Southern Arizona, emphasizing collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces program aims to disrupt and dismantle high-level drug trafficking operations and transnational crime.

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI, showcasing a unified approach to combat drug-related violence and firearms misuse. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Petermann led the prosecution in this significant case.