MIAMI—A federal jury has convicted Gabriel Donato-Mendez, 48, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., on charges of conspiracy to export U.S. defense articles and attempted smuggling of defense articles, officials announced Wednesday.
According to court records, Donato-Mendez purchased more than 150 AR-15 “kits” over a six-month period in 2018 and 2019. These kits, which required minor drilling and assembly to create fully functioning AR-15 firearms, were classified as “defense articles” on the United States Munitions List at the time and required a license from the U.S. Department of State for export.
On March 4, 2019, Donato-Mendez transported at least 84 AR-15 kits from a store in Daytona, Fla., to a freight forwarder, with plans to export the kits to Costa Rica. Neither Donato-Mendez nor his associates possessed the necessary license to export the kits, prosecutors said.
Donato-Mendez is scheduled for sentencing on February 7, 2025, before Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga. He faces up to 10 years in prison for the attempted smuggling charge and up to five years for conspiracy. The court will determine his sentence after reviewing federal guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami and Fort Pierce offices, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in Fort Pierce. Authorities in Costa Rica and the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls also provided support.
