In New York, following a four-day jury trial, Bianneury Pena, also known as "Charly," was found guilty on multiple counts related to gun and drug trafficking as well as unlawful firearm possession. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced the conviction, noting that Pena became involved in criminal activity shortly after illegally entering the United States. "Within weeks of entering the United States unlawfully, Pena immersed himself in a gun and drug trafficking scheme," Clayton stated, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Arrested on June 7, 2024, with co-conspirator Abel Rosario, Pena was found smuggling firearms into New York City from North Carolina. The arrest yielded two firearms, including an Aero Precision model M4E1 and a Glock .40 caliber model 23 handgun, along with various ammunition types. Both men at the time of arrest, were on a bus, having made multiple trips between the states to exchange drugs for firearms.
Details from the trial indicate Pena's active engagement in the criminal operation since his illegal U.S. entry in April 2024. Coordinating with Rosario, who also had an illegal status due to a prior deportation, Pena undertook trips which involved trading cocaine for firearms. This illicit circuit between May and June of 2024 demonstrated a brazen disregard for the law and public safety.
The 35-year-old Dominican Republic native, now convicted on three counts, faces up to 50 years in prison. Though these are the maximum potential sentences as prescribed by Congress, his actual sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote on October 17. Pena, found guilty of his crimes, will await sentencing confined behind bars.
Clayton has extended gratitude to various law enforcement agencies, including the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, for their work in apprehending Pena. Responsible for the prosecution are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley C. Nicolas, Alexandra S. Messiter, and Brandon D. Harper from the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.
