Mother-Son Duo Used Instagram to Sell Machine Gun Parts and Automatic Gun Convertors in New Mexico: Authorities
A man from Albuquerque has admitted his guilt in federal court for conducting firearms transactions without a license and possessing a device that converts guns into machine guns.
Court documents reveal that in December 2022, the ATF uncovered an Instagram user who was suspected of possessing and selling illegal machine gun conversion devices. These devices have the capability to modify firearms, enabling them to fire fully automatic. The ATF was able to identify the individual as Joe Jasso, 20 years old, based on a unique tattoo on his hand.
In January 2023, the ATF discovered a recently created Instagram account that seemed to be associated with Jasso. This conclusion was drawn from the presence of identical hand tattoos in the posts on the account.
In February 3, 2023, undercover detectives from the Albuquerque Police Department reached out to Jasso via Instagram to arrange a controlled purchase of machine gun conversion devices from Jasso and his mother, Rachael Jasso.
During the transaction, Jasso provided detailed instructions to the undercover detective on how to install the conversion device onto a firearm. He also confirmed that the device would enable the firearm to shoot fully automatic. Jasso also expressed willingness to acquire an auto sear for an assault rifle, which he intended to sell to the undercover officer.
As part of his guilty plea, Jasso acknowledged his awareness that the conversion devices met the federal definition of a firearm and that he did not possess the necessary license to engage in the business of selling firearms.
Jasso has been ordered by the Court to remain in custody until sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled. The account was deleted in January 2023 as reported by KRQE News.
Jasso could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison. After serving his time in prison, Jasso will be placed under supervision for a period of up to three years.
Rachel Jasso, Jasso’s co-defendant and his mother, is set to go on trial on July 8, 2024.