August 2, 2025 – Alejandra Susana Castillo, 34, of Tracy, was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to five 
years in prison for illegal firearms trafficking, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced.
Image by Ray Shrewsberry • Ray_Shrewsberry from Pixabay
According to court documents, between Aug. 22, 2023, and Aug. 27, 2024, Castillo and a co‑conspirator trafficked firearms by purchasing them in Nevada and selling them on the black market in California. Because Castillo’s co-conspirator is a convicted felon and was not able to purchase the firearms himself, he entered into a criminal partnership with Castillo to purchase the firearms for him. In general, the two obtained firearms by traveling together to firearms dealers in Nevada, where the co-conspirator would enter the stores first, identify the firearms he wanted to Castillo via text message or other communications, and then exit the store. Castillo, who was not prohibited person at the time, would then enter the store and purchase the firearms, pretending they were for her. Once Castillo had the firearms, the two would then travel back to California, where they would unlawfully sell them to people who could not lawfully purchase firearms.
On July 27, 2024, Castillo’s co-conspirator led a law enforcement officer on a high-speed chase, which was ultimately ended because of public safety concerns. Two days later, another law enforcement officer observed the car involved in the chase parked at a gas station. The officer detained Castillo, who was then using the car. During a search of the vehicle, the officer discovered a semi-automatic rifle in the trunk, along with three extended magazines.
In total, more than 30 firearms were traced to this conspiracy. At least four of these firearms have since been recovered in connection with suspected firearm-related crimes. One such firearm, for example, was recovered by the California Highway Patrol in the possession of a felon in Vallejo on July 25, 2024, only three days after Castillo purchased the firearm in Nevada.
Castillo was ordered report to prison on Nov. 1, 2025. Her co-conspirator is currently in federal custody for a related case.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Highway Patrol, the Pleasanton Police Department, the Reno Police Department, the Tracy Police Department, and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella prosecuted the case.
Source: DOJ Release
