Local federal firearms license holder pleads guilty to firearms trafficking

SHREVEPORT, La. – A Shreveport man who sold firearms to a convicted felon pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to firearms trafficking, U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown said in a news release. 

Dwayne Ronquillo, 52, entered the plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Hornsby. He'll be sentenced on April 10 and faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Ronquillo admitted in court that he sold two firearms to a convicted felon. 

The first happened on April 20 at the Greenwood flea market where Ronquillo, a federal firearms license holder, had a booth to display and sell guns. A man told Ronquillo he had a felony record that prevented him from buying a firearm at a pawn shop. Ronquillo sold him a Ruger 9x19mm pistol for $500 in cash and 150 rounds of ammunition. 

The man communicated with Ronquillo via text, again admitting to being a felon, and made arrangements three days later to buy another gun. The two met in the parking lot of a Shreveport business, where the man paid $1,000 in cash for another pistol. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives searched Ronquillo's home on May 29 and seized 75 firearms, various calibers of ammunition and assorted magazines. 

Ronquillo admitted to the judge he knew the use, carrying, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon was a felony.

“The defendant shamelessly and recklessly put firearms and ammunition in the hands of people he knew to be prohibited, thwarting the efforts of law enforcement to keep firearms out of the possession of those who legally cannot possess them. For this conduct and in the spirit of public safety, we look forward to this individual receiving a just sentence of imprisonment in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons," Brown said.

The case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg.