I previously wrote: “Just to be clear, I have no doubt this guy was acting like a dealer, buying and selling guns as a hobby business . . . “
After further research (see link above), I no longer believe this guy was acting as a dealer. He was just a enthusiastic gun nut and buying and selling guns is just what he did. The .50 caliber rifle discovered in Mexico was apparently sold to a fellow law enforcement officer in a perfectly legal sale. It was THAT guy who was the dirty dealer.
This appears to be a case of abusive and unjust prosecution.
He was probably one of the few decent ones. That is why they got rid of him. Can’t have these guys leaving the plantation or divating from the company line.