A 24-year-old Orlando man is facing up to a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to smuggling firearms from the United States to Canada.
On Wednesday, November 27, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Jonen Castillo, 24, has pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the United States. He was indicted on the smuggling charge in February.
According to the plea agreement, in June of 2023, Castillo concealed five firearms and nine firearm magazines inside record players. He then mailed the record players to an individual who resided in Canada.
Castillo is facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu.
Additionally, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.