Ex-California National Guard member sold ghost guns, tipped off drug dealer to raids, feds say

Ruby Celly Uribe, a 37-year-old former California National Guard member from Sacramento, was convicted by a jury on Tuesday of unlawfully possessing a machine gun and an unregistered short-barreled rifle, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

During the trial, it was revealed that Uribe, while serving on a federal task force, leaked information about upcoming drug raids to a person she knew was involved in drug dealing. The firearms were discovered during a federal search warrant at her home.

The short-barreled rifle did not meet the minimum federal requirement of 16 inches, had been modified to fire in full-automatic mode as a machine gun, and lacked a serial number, classifying it as a ghost gun. Cellphone data also showed Uribe was involved in trafficking other ghost guns, including a sale to a coworker on July 20, 2022.

The FBI further learned that she sold another illegal firearm in August 2022. All firearms have been safely recovered.

Uribe is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins on September 11, facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative targeting illegal immigration and drug crimes.