December 31, 2015

Modesto Pair Indicted for Selling Large-Caliber Firearms

FRESNO, CA—A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Orlando Rangel, 31, and George Boone, 38, both of Modesto, charging them with being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. In addition, Rangel was charged with possession of a stolen firearm.

According to court documents, agents learned that Boone and Rangel, previously convicted felons, were selling a .50-caliber rifle. Over the course of several days in November and December 2015, undercover agents purchased the .50-caliber rifle, which was equipped with a scope and bipod. Rangel admitted that he had stolen the firearm.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Modesto Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Frye is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.