Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 2:26
Key Takeaways:
A federal court has sentenced a California National Guard member from the Sacramento area to more than two years behind bars for her role in illegal firearms trafficking and compromising law enforcement operations.
Ruby Celly Uribe, 37, received a sentence of two years and five months after U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins handed down the ruling. A jury previously convicted her on May 26, 2026, following a thorough federal investigation into her activities while stationed at the California National Guard Headquarters in Mather.
Authorities discovered that Uribe was actively selling privately made firearms lacking serial numbers, commonly known as ghost guns. Investigators found she sold at least two machine guns and short-barreled rifles between July and August 2022. One of these weapons was modified to fire in full-automatic mode, violating strict federal laws regarding unregistered firearms.
Beyond selling weapons, Uribe abused her position within the Counterdrug Task Force. She shared highly sensitive information regarding upcoming drug raids with a person she knew was involved in the drug trade. Her messages included exact dates, locations, and the number of military vehicles and aircraft deployed for the operations.
The case highlights serious vulnerabilities within local military support units tasked with stopping drug trafficking organizations across California. Federal agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked alongside the California Military Department to uncover the scheme. Search warrants executed at Uribe's residence revealed the illegal firearms and confirmed the extent of the leak.
Federal law strictly prohibits the possession of machine guns and unregistered rifles with barrels shorter than 16 inches. Ghost guns have become a growing concern for law enforcement agencies nationwide because they bypass standard background checks and serialization requirements. This sentencing underscores the federal government's commitment to holding individuals accountable for undermining public safety protocols.
This conviction serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences for those who misuse their positions to facilitate illegal arms trade and endanger public safety initiatives. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining operational security within all state and federal agencies.
