Alejandra Susana Castillo, a 34-year-old resident of Tracy, California, has pleaded guilty to charges of illegal firearms trafficking. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith made the announcement.
Court documents reveal that between August 22, 2023, and August 27, 2024, Castillo and an accomplice were involved in purchasing firearms in Nevada and selling them illegally in California.
On July 27, 2024, Castillo's co-conspirator engaged law enforcement in a high-speed chase exceeding speeds of 100 miles per hour. The pursuit was abandoned for public safety reasons. Two days later, police located the vehicle at a gas station and detained Castillo. A search revealed a semi-automatic rifle and three extended magazines in the trunk.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) traced over 30 firearms to this operation. At least three weapons were linked to suspected crimes. One firearm was found with a felon in Vallejo on July 25, 2024, shortly after being purchased by Castillo in Nevada on July 22.
This investigation involved several agencies: the ATF; California Highway Patrol; Pleasonton Police Department; Reno Police Department; Tracy Police Department; and San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting.
Castillo will be sentenced on June 20, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins. She faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; however, her sentence will depend on various statutory factors and federal guidelines.
This case falls under the Sacramento Region/San Francisco Bay Area Cross-Jurisdictional Firearms Trafficking Strike Force initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in July 2021 to curb illegal gun trafficking nationwide.
Additionally, it is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration among law enforcement agencies at all levels and community engagement strategies.