Sean Christopher Steward, Jacob Anthony Montelongo sentenced in Fast and Furious case

Two more suspects tied to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ Fast and Furious case have been sentenced to prison.

According to federal prosecutors, Sean Christopher Steward was sentenced to serve 108 months in federal prison. 

Jacob Anthony Montelongo was sentenced to 41 months for his part in the gun-buying scheme that allowed known criminals to access weapons and transport them into Mexico.

The two are among a total of twenty people indicted in the case .

According a press release issued by the US Attorney’s office in the Southern District of California, Steward pleaded guilty to two counts in July 2012. 

He admitted to conspiring to illegally obtain AK-47 rifles on behalf of others and making false statements during the process.  Prosecutors said he acted as a straw purchaser and also participated in the delivery of weapons to members of Mexican drug trafficking organizations.

Montelongo pleaded guilty to conspiracy, making false statements, and smuggling goods from the United States. 

“Steward and Montelongo were two of the most prolific straw purchasers in the Phoenix-based firearms trafficking conspiracy,” according to prosecutors.

“During a six-month period from December 2009 through June 2010, Steward, using funds provided by the leader o the firearms trafficking organization, paid over $176,000 in cash to purchase approximately 289 firearms,” the US Attorney’s office indicated.

Montelongo, according to court records, personally purchased at least 109 firearms during the process.