Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Federal Prison for Valley Man Convicted of Ghost Gun Sales, Cockfighting
By admin
Published 2 years ago on
September 25, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A Tulare County man received seven years and three months in federal prison at his sentencing on Monday for selling ghost guns and being involved in the illegal blood sport of cockfighting.

Pedro Gavino, 28, of Orosi, pleaded guilty to the charges in May of this year. U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced Gavino’s sentence in a news release.

According to court documents, from February 2017 to October 2018, Gavino sold 24 unregistered firearms, including AR-15-type pistols and AR-15-type short-barreled rifles that had been privately made. Privately made firearms using unfinished receivers are known as “ghost guns” because they do not have a serial number and are untraceable.

Guns Sold at Ranch, Selma Gas Stations

The gun sales took place at Gavino’s ranch in Orosi and at different gas stations in Selma after the buyer advised Gavino that the firearms were destined for buyers in Chicago and Juarez, Mexico.

During one of the illegal gun transactions, Gavino also sold two birds commonly used for cockfighting and six Mexican slashers, or short knives, that are attached to the leg of a rooster for the purpose of fighting.

In April 2018, Gavino brought five gamecocks to a large cockfighting event in an orchard in Orosi, where 200 to 300 spectators gathered. After two of Gavino’s gamecocks fought and won, there was a dispute, gunshots were fired, and the crowd dispersed.

Cockfighting Birds Found at Ranch

Later that year, during the execution of a federal search warrant at Gavino’s ranch, agents found 128 gamecocks, 30 hens used for breeding gamecocks, 278 Mexican slashers, and 10 additional firearms, including two AR-15-type pistols.

Gavino agreed to surrender the animals involved in the case.

This case stemmed from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General with assistance from the California Highway Patrol and the Fresno Police Department Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar prosecuted the case.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

2 hours ago

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

6 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

The U.S. approved a new COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna late Friday but with limits on who can use it — not a replacement for the company&#...

2 hours ago

2 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

2 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

2 hours ago

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

2 hours ago

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

Steve Hilton, a 2026 candidate for governor, speaks at a news conference on May 31, 2025, outside Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis. (GV Wire/David Taub)
6 hours ago

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

9 hours ago

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

10 hours ago

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

10 hours ago

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend