Tag Archives: UPS

UPS Driver Guilty of Weapons Charges

Staff Reports

Riverside – A former United Parcel Service driver was found guilty on Thurs., Jan. 15 of federal gun trafficking charges for stealing dozens of guns going through the shipping company’s Ontario hub and providing them to another man, who sold the weapons on the street.

Curtis Ivory Hays II, 37, of Rancho Cucamonga, was convicted of firearms and other offenses following a six day trial in United States District Court.

Hays, who was found guilty of 15 counts, faces a statutory maximum sentence of 115 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 30 by United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips.

The associate who allegedly sold some of the firearms – Dennis Dell White, Jr., 35, of Moreno Valley – previously pleaded guilty in the case and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Phillips on May 4.

The evidence at trial showed that Hays stole a series of packages containing guns that were supposed to be delivered to Turner’s Outdoorsman in Rancho Cucamonga. From May through October of 2012, Hays stole six shipments containing a total of 72 firearms.

Hays gave the stolen firearms to White, who illegally sold the weapons to other individuals, and some of the guns were then sold to others. The firearms included 12-gauge shotguns and .45-caliber handguns.

Hays also stole shipments containing jewelry and mobile phones that were supposed to be delivered to Costco in Rancho Cucamonga, and this merchandise also was given to White.

Hays was found guilty of conspiracy, six counts of theft of firearms, six counts of receipt and possession of stolen firearms, and two counts of theft of interstate shipments.

White pleaded guilty to one count of theft of firearms.

The investigation into the stolen firearms was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in conjunction with the Ontario Police Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Substantial assistance was provided by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

Riverside: UPS Driver Accused of Stealing Guns

STAFF REPORTS

 

Riverside – A United Parcel Service driver was arrested on Fri., July 25, on federal gun trafficking charges for allegedly stealing dozens of guns going through the shipping company’s Ontario hub, and providing them to an associate who sold the weapons in underground transactions.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Curtis Hays, 36, of Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested without incident by special agents with the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). Hays was expected to be arraigned that same day in United States District Court.

The associate who allegedly sold some of the firearms – Dennis Dell White, Jr., 35, of Moreno Valley – will be summoned to appear in federal court for an arraignment in the coming weeks.

The 16-count indictment, which was filed on July 23, alleges that Hays stole a series of packages containing guns that were supposed to be delivered to the Turner’s Outdoorsman retailer in Rancho Cucamonga. The indictment also accused Hays of stealing jewelry and mobile phones that were supposed to be delivered to other retailers. This merchandise was also allegedly given to White.

Hays purportedly provided the firearms to White, who illegally sold the weapons to other individuals, and some of the guns were then sold to others. The firearms included 12-gauge shotguns and .45-caliber handguns.

Hays and White are charged with conspiracy; six counts of theft of firearms; six counts of receipt and possession of stolen firearms; and two counts of theft, receipt, and possession of goods in interstate commerce.

White is additionally charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The conspiracy count carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The weapons charges each carry a potential penalty of 10 years in prison. The stolen goods charges each carry a maximum possible penalty of five years in prison. And, if convicted of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, White could face up to an additional 10 years in prison.

The investigation into the stolen firearms was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in conjunction with the Ontario Police Department.