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LAPD Officer Charged In Attempt To Export Handguns
The AP via YellowBrix
November 03, 2009
LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles police officer has been indicted for attempting to illegally export guns to his security firm in Belize.
Johnny Augustus Baltazar surrendered to authorities Monday and was scheduled to appear in federal court.
Prosecutors say Baltazar attempted to illegally ship a container packed with 10 handguns and 1,500 rounds of ammunition to Belize from the Los Angeles International Airport. His indictment follows a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Baltazar’s attorney Arthur Avazian says he has not read the indictment and can’t comment.
Baltazar, who is on administrative leave from the Police Department, is charged with unlawful interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition.
fantacmet
20 days ago
26 Comments
If it was just a screwup then he should be released with paying th eproper fine and correcting the mistake.
If it was intentional then I have to believe that he was NOT exporting these for his security company but rather for distribution to some other entity, otherwise why would he need to conceal it?
As much as I want to just flog this guy, I will reserve judgement on him in this situation until there is more evidence. However something doesn't feel right.
A_Schumann1970
22 days ago
40 Comments
This guy makes law enforcement look bad.
Baxter2
22 days ago
1044 Comments
I'm surprised Boxer and Feinstein don't have the guy up for some kind of good samaritan or citizen of the year award for getting all those horrible guns out of California.
ICE_MAN
22 days ago
48 Comments
ICE strikes again!
rock2008
22 days ago
12 Comments
There's always one bad apple, it's a slap in the face to all the great officers doing a tough job the right way day after day.
djs2v
22 days ago
4384 Comments
What a shame!!
pudhcat
23 days ago
2202 Comments
To answer TprWhite35, yes Belize is dangerous with still alot of civil unrest and the last thing they need is weapons and ammo. British Honduras, now back to it's original country name of Belize, is still under Her Majesty's Crown but with their own government back in place. Back in 2005 when I was playing tourist and doing some photography work, I truly wished I had my zero with me. It's definitely not a place to be alone, especially for an American caucasion blonde.
As for the LAPD officer, it is a shame to have our honorable career smited with another black eye. C'mon LA - get your s**t together here - your press is always bad...what gives?!
foggm
23 days ago
62 Comments
Revised comment: Another black eye on those who are out to do the job, both just and right the way it should be done. Just another role model not to look at on my trail to becoming a deputy.
Delete
foggm
23 days ago
62 Comments
Anotherr black on those who are out to do the job just and right the way it should be. Just another role model not to look at on my trail to becoming a deputy.
TprWhite35
23 days ago
308 Comments
Isn't it dangerous in Belize? Ouch. The liberals should be happy the guns are being EXPORTED.
Whalewatcher
23 days ago
1500 Comments
Thanks for the info regarding exportation, roscoeswat. Sounds like the officer might be in a peck of trouble here, but more info would be nice, too.
roscoeswat
23 days ago
50 Comments
In order to export handguns and ammo, he would have had to apply for and receive an export license from the US Department of State, the regulatory agency for all US-based exports of items deemed military in nature, which handguns and ammo are. The listing of requirements are found in The International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Knowingly violating this law is a serious felony. Having a foreign-based security firm, he probably knew about the regs, as any legit gun dealer he would purchase from would know of the regs on exports, or would at least know they existed and need to be followed. Additionally, he would have had to provide the shipper with a declaration as to the contents of the shipment. An accurate description of the contents would have flagged it to the shipper as an item needing an export license.
When shipments are discovered that don't have the required documents, but are correctly listed, the resolution includes getting the export license and paying a fine for not doing it right, or, if a license is denied, the shipment is seized and the exporter pays a civil fine....no arrests. Arrests only occur (if ICE and the US Attorney's Office are doing their jobs properly) when there is evidence of knowledge of the requirement and some attempt to conceal the nature of the shipment. Mistakes are made by the government, so I will withold an opinion. Will be interesting to see how this turns out. ( I was a senior special agent with US Customs before retirement and dealt with this issue regularly)
chiefdennis
23 days ago
7904 Comments
Why not do it the correct way. Pretty limited information.
fplasencia
23 days ago
5382 Comments
APD... Right on!
That's what I'm talking about...
APDSARGE
23 days ago
938 Comments
Where did we read that he was tried and convicted? How about giving a MOS, at a minimum, the benefit of the doubt?