Michael Adrian Nieto, a 31-year-old former St. Cloud, Florida police officer, has pleaded guilty to illegally dealing firearms, a federal crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. His guilty plea sheds light on a disturbing scheme involving the trafficking of firearms to international criminal networks, with smuggling operations linked to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Haiti.
According to federal prosecutors, Nieto abused his position as a police officer to facilitate the illegal sale of firearms. He routinely purchased guns and resold them to various individuals, including Ernesto Vazquez, a key figure in a criminal organization involved in international firearms trafficking.
Beyond selling weapons, Nieto exploited his access to confidential police databases, providing Vazquez with sensitive law enforcement information that helped advance the criminal operation.
Between June 6, 2022, and September 4, 2024, Nieto purchased at least 58 firearms, many of which were identical models bought within a short period—a red flag for potential illegal resale.
Federal authorities, including the FBI and ATF, executed a search warrant at Nieto’s home on October 17, 2024, seizing 12 firearms. During questioning, Nieto admitted to knowingly supplying weapons to Vazquez, fully aware that they would be smuggled to third parties in violation of federal law. He also confessed to receiving illegal items, including a machinegun conversion device, from Vazquez.
Nieto now faces a maximum of five years in federal prison for his crimes. Meanwhile, Ernesto Vazquez has also pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking and is scheduled for sentencing on March 25, 2025.
This case underscores the growing concerns over firearms trafficking and corruption within law enforcement ranks, as authorities continue to crack down on illicit gun smuggling operations with international ties.
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