Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Agent Arrested for Alleged Firearms Sales to Mexican Cartels

By Adrianna Iwasinski and Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested an Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agent on federal gun charges that have allegedly been traced back to Mexican drug cartels.

"We were contacted last night, Monday night, by federal authorities that they had one of our agents in custody on federal gun charges," said Mark Woodward, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.

Woodward said the agency is cooperating with federal authorities and will launch its own internal investigation of 29-year-old Francisco Javier Reyes Luna, who goes by the name Frank Reyes.

Reyes is accused of using a false name to buy five A-K 47s from Outdoor America, as well as transferring a 50-caliber Barrett rifle to someone who wasn't licensed to own it. ATF agents said Reyes would also use his residence at the Regency Tower in downtown Oklahoma City and other places across the state to pay others to purchase guns and then complete the work to have the weapons sent to Mexico. Authorities said they believed the guns were making it into the hands of Mexican drug cartels.

"Very, very concerning to us because we're a family, and we're a tight knit group. So if allegations are true, it won't be tolerated, but it's very concerning and surprising to us," Woodward said. "We take this very seriously and will not be tolerated. The agent has resigned and I can't stress enough, he is no longer an employee with our agency."

Court documents also detailed the death of a man in Stillwater earlier this year. The widow of that man told ATF agents her husband would buy guns for Reyes and following his death, she was warned to "get out of the house because she was in danger." The same man who warned her said her husband was dead because he "didn't meet his quota for the month and owed money."

Reyes went before a federal judge Tuesday afternoon and faces three federal firearm violations that carry between five to 10 years in prison.

Read the federal complaint against Reyes

Reyes was released on $25,000 bond. He will be back in federal court on August 31 at 10 a.m.

Reyes began working for OBN in 2007. He worked as an undercover agent and most recently patrolled the highways. Those who knew him said he was reserved and sometimes quiet.

Under the conditions of his release, Reyes is not allowed to possess any firearms, he can not apply for a passport, he is under house arrest and will be closely monitored by federal authorities.

NEWS 9 contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was told they would have no comment at this time.

In its mission statement, the ATF called itself a unique law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Justice that, in part, protects communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations and the illegal use and trafficking of firearms.

According to the ATF website, the special agents of the Dallas Division, which covers Oklahoma, fight gun violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gangs and gun traffickers. The website states that includes efforts to stem the flow of firearms into Mexico, which, they state, contributes to the violence among drug cartels.