Individual Convicted of Firearms Trafficking with Los 27 Prison Gang

SAN JUAN – A federal jury convicted Héctor Kalie Figueroa-Marbelt for helping a member of Los 27 prison gang with engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Los 27 gang was a criminal organization which operated from within the prisons of Puerto Rico using illegally introduced cellphones. To make money from prison, Los 27 members engaged in murder, drug trafficking, extortion, and firearms trafficking. Los 27 members also engaged in firearms trafficking to supply firearms to the members of the criminal organization who would leave prison. Figueroa-Marbelt helped Los 27 with this crime.

The evidence at trial showed that Figueroa-Marbelt was the “outside person” for a Los 27 member considered to be the point of contact for firearms within Los 27—Victor Elias-Boza, aka “Grilla.” From prison, Elias-Boza brokered the sale of a firearm, and Figueroa-Marbelt delivered the firearm. In December 2019, Figueroa-Marbelt delivered a firearm, which Elias-Boza agreed to sell to another member of Los 27. That day, Figueroa-Marbelt showed that he was ready and able to engage in firearms trafficking, offering to sell more firearms. Figueroa-Marbelt had numerous firearms for sale at his disposal.

In September 2021, the FBI arrested Figueroa-Marbelt and seized eight firearms, over 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and money in Figueroa-Marbelt’s possession. The FBI also found that Figueroa-Marbelt had sufficient firearm parts that arrived in the mail, accessories, and tools to manufacture additional firearms. In sum, the evidenced showed that Figueroa-Marbelt was ready and able to sell firearms for profit with Elias-Boza.

Figueroa-Marbelt is now facing a sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a supervised release term of up to three years.

U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández was in charge of prosecuting the case.

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