Three men are accused in a 43-count indictment involving firearms transported from Virginia to New York with eight guns allegedly purchased and later resold to an undercover investigator
BRONX, NY – A pipeline of illegal firearms allegedly ran from Virginia into the Bronx, where prosecutors say guns selected through photos were transported to New York, purchased by a Bronx man and then unknowingly resold to an undercover investigator.
Three men have been charged in a 43-count indictment stemming from the alleged gun trafficking operation, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced.
Jose Tejeda Jr., 29, of the Bronx, also known as Chapo, and Nazaya Gonzalez, 28, of Virginia, also known as Gotti, were arraigned Friday before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goldsmith.
A third defendant has not been apprehended, according to the district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors allege the trafficking operation took place between December 2023 and May 2024.
During that period, Gonzalez allegedly sent Tejeda photos of firearms that were available for purchase.
After guns were selected, Gonzalez allegedly drove the firearms from Virginia to New York, according to the investigation.
Prosecutors allege Tejeda purchased eight firearms from Gonzalez, paying either in cash or through electronic transfers made to the third defendant.
Tejeda then allegedly resold the guns to an undercover investigator without knowing the buyer was working undercover.
The district attorney’s office said social media was also allegedly used to discuss payments connected to the operation.
Gonzalez was charged with first-degree criminal sale of a firearm, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and other related offenses.
Tejeda was charged with fourth-degree conspiracy and fifth-degree conspiracy.
Both defendants are scheduled to return to court Dec. 9.
The third defendant remained at large when the district attorney’s office announced the indictment Wednesday.
The case is being prosecuted by the Bronx District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau. The investigation also involved members of the DA’s office and the NYPD.
The indictment is an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Three men were indicted in an alleged operation that prosecutors say transported illegal firearms from Virginia to New York for resale in the Bronx.
- Prosecutors allege Jose Tejeda Jr. purchased eight firearms from Nazaya Gonzalez before unknowingly reselling guns to an undercover investigator.
- Tejeda and Gonzalez were arraigned Friday, while a third defendant had not been apprehended when the indictment was announced.
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