Gun Found in Mexico at Cartel Shootout May Have Been Purchased by ATF Official Giving False Information
WASHINGTON – Documents provided to Senator Chuck Grassley suggest that a gun purchased by George T. Gillett may have been found at the scene of a Mexican shootout between drug cartel members and the Mexican military. Gillett was the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) during the Fast and Furious scandal, where the federal government allowed nearly 2000 guns to be bought by straw purchasers and transported across the Mexico-U.S. border.
The weapon apparently purchased by Gillett was recovered in the same area and on the same weekend as an AK-47 purchased by Uriel Patino was recovered. Patino was the most prolific straw purchaser in Fast and Furious, buying 720 guns under the federal government’s eyes.
The Firearms Transaction Record which suggests Gillett was the purchaser of the weapon is one of three such records in Gillett’s name which list a non-residential address. The Firearms Transaction Records list the addresses of the ATF office as well as a local shopping center. Using false home residences on Firearms Transaction Records is a felony. Jaime Avila, the straw purchaser of a gun found at the murder scene of Customs and Border Patrol Agent, was recently sentenced to 57 months in prison for using false addresses on the same form.
In a letter to the Department of Justice Inspector General, Grassley asked the IG to thoroughly investigate the matter. Grassley also has informed the ATF of the weapons that were apparently purchased by an employee, using false home residences, and are now being found in Mexico. Gillett is still employed by the ATF, despite being recommended for disciplinary action by the IG.
Here is a copy of the text of Grassley’s letter. A copy of the signed letter and attachments can be found here.
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