The village of Columbus mayor and police chief, along with a city trustee and others, were charged today with being part of a firearms trafficking ring that was illegally smuggling guns into Mexico.

The village of Columbus mayor and police chief, along with a city trustee and others, were charged today with being part of a firearms trafficking ring that was illegally smuggling guns into Mexico.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced the 84-count indictment against Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza, Trustee Blas Gutierrez, Police Chief Angelo Vega and eight others this afternoon.

“Gutierrez, Espinoza and Vega were duty sworn to protect and safeguard the people of Columbus, New Mexico,” Gonzales said in a news release. “Instead, they increased the risk of harm that the people of Columbus face every day by allegedly using their official positions to facilitate and safeguard the operations of a smuggling ring that was exporting firearms to Mexico.”

Gutierrez is charged with 37 counts including one count of conspiracy, 17 counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, and 19 counts of firearms smuggling. Espinoza is charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of firearms smuggling, and three counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms. Vega is charged with one count of conspiracy.

Others charged include Ignacio Villalobos of Columbus, Ian Garland of Chaparral, Alberto Rivera of Columbus, Miguel Carrillo of Columbus, Ricardo Gutierrez of Columbus, Vicente Carreon of Columbus, Eva Lucie Gutierrez of Las Cruces, and Manuel Ortega of Palomas, Mexico.

The charges of conspiracy and making false statements each carry a maximum prison sentence of five years. The smuggling charges each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. Each charge carries a maximum fine of $250,000.