A Pennsylvania man connected to Jamestown drug activity has been charged with firearms trafficking.

On Thursday. U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christian Arroyo Collazo, 27, of New Castle, was charged by criminal complaint with engaging in the firearms business without a license, unlawful shipment and transportation of firearms, and firearms trafficking. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Collazo was identified as an individual associated with multiple Jamestown drug traffickers/users during an investigation into methamphetamine and heroin trafficking in Jamestown by the DEA and Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force.

Between November 2021, and May 2022, investigators traced three firearms recovered in Jamestown to Collazo, who purchased the firearms at Duke’s FFL, and Nesbit Guns, both located in New Castle, Pa. Two of the firearms were recovered during the arrests of two other federal defendants. Subsequent investigation determined that Collazo utilized Facebook and Facebook Messenger to conduct firearm related conversations and effectuate his firearms trafficking activities. During these conversations, Collazo would send photos of firearms to potential buyers.

Collazo made an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation. The force identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case is being prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted, and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, III, New York Field Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division, and the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, under the direction of Jamestown Police Chief Timothy Jackson.