ORLANDO, Fla. — Jonen Castillo, 24, of Orlando, has pleaded guilty to smuggling goods out of the United States after attempting to conceal firearms and firearm magazines inside record players shipped to Canada, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
According to court documents, Castillo hid five firearms and nine magazines in record players in June 2023 and mailed them to a recipient in Canada. The smuggling operation was uncovered during an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Castillo faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled, according to United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu is prosecuting the case, which falls under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program. The initiative aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by coordinating law enforcement efforts at all levels and fostering trust within communities.
The Department of Justice described Project Safe Neighborhoods as prioritizing violence prevention, targeted enforcement, and community partnerships to enhance public safety.
Jonen Castillo’s guilty plea highlights ongoing efforts by federal agencies to disrupt illegal firearm trafficking across international borders.