The District Attorney’s Office in Oregon recently announced that Samuel Rodrigo Melo Santos, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, pleaded guilty on Thursday, August 6, to charges of “illegal possession of firearms by a foreign national” and “making false statements when purchasing firearms.”
According to court documents, between May 2024 and July 2025, Santos purchased 91 firearms totaling $56,448 and around 40,000 rounds of ammunition. One of the guns was later recovered in Mexico. He admitted to law enforcement that he would resell the firearms to anyone, including individuals prohibited from owning guns.
Santos was arrested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under the Department of Justice on December 16, 2025, and later transferred to the U.S. Marshals Service for detention.
The investigation of this case was led by the ATF with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper is in charge of the prosecution in this case.
In a statement released by DHS, it was mentioned that “this illegal immigrant from Mexico admitted to purchasing over 90 firearms and 40,000 rounds of ammunition with the intent to unlawfully resell them.” A DHS spokesperson stated, “Due to the diligent efforts of federal partners like HSI, ATF, DEA, this criminal has been brought to justice and prevented from continuing his deadly trade; after serving his sentence, ICE will repatriate him.”
Santos illegally entered the United States through Arizona in May 2024, was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol, and deported to Mexico. He reentered the U.S. illegally at an unspecified date and location thereafter.
As per the plea agreement, Santos agreed to forfeit any proceeds from criminal activities and assets used in the crimes. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release, with sentencing scheduled for October 9, 2026, by Federal Judge Michael McShane.
Three other defendants in the same case have not pleaded guilty and are currently awaiting trial.