RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA – A former United Parcel Service driver was found guilty Thursday of federal gun trafficking charges for stealing dozens of guns going through the shipping company’s Ontario hub and providing them to another man who sold the weapons on the street, officials said.
Curtis Ivory Hays II, 37, of Rancho Cucamonga, was convicted of firearms and other offenses following a six-day trial in U.S. District Court.
Hays, who was found guilty today of 15 counts, faces up to 115 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on March 30.
The associate who allegedly sold some of the firearms – Dennis Dell White Jr., 35, of Moreno Valley – previously pleaded guilty in the case and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 4.
The evidence at trial indicated the following, according to federal officials.
- Hays stole a series of packages containing guns that were supposed to be delivered to Turner’s Outdoorsman in Rancho Cucamonga.
- From May through October of 2012, Hays stole six shipments containing a total of 72 firearms.
- Hays gave the stolen firearms to White, who illegally sold the weapons to other individuals, and some of the guns were then sold to others. The firearms included 12-gauge shotguns and .45-caliber handguns.
- Hays also stole shipments containing jewelry and mobile phones that were supposed to be delivered to Costco in Rancho Cucamonga, and this merchandise also was given to White.
Hays was found guilty of conspiracy, six counts of theft of firearms, six counts of receipt and possession of stolen firearms, and two counts of theft of interstate shipments.
White pleaded guilty to one count of theft of firearms.
The investigation was spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.