TIJUANA, Mexico, Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Joseph Riehl, San Francisco Field Division announced that David Torrado was arrested Monday in Tijuana on a warrant for illegally possessing firearms and body armor.

According to a grand jury indictment, Torrado, 39, a resident of Las Vegas has been charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, and one count of the possession of body armor by a violent felon.  Torrado, a United States citizen with prior felony convictions absconded to Mexico in early 2012.  Agents from the ATF Las Vegas, San Diego and Tijuana Field Offices have been working together to locate and apprehend Torrado. 

Agents from the ATF Tijuana Field Office worked closely with the Policia Estatal Preventiva (PEP, State Preventative Police) to locate and coordinate the arrest.  Upon arrest, Torrado was transferred to Mexican Immigration and was subsequently deported from Mexico to the United States.  Agents with United States Customs and ATF took custody of Torrado yesterday at the San Ysidro, Calif. Port of Entry.  Torrado is scheduled for his initial appearance in the Southern Judicial District of California and will be transported back to the Nevada Judicial District.

"When ATF works in concert with our law enforcement partners and Mexican officials and incorporate our areas of expertise, the danger to our communities is minimized," said SAC Riehl. "Torrado's arrest demonstrates the end result of great cooperation with our Mexican counterparts."

A grand jury indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  This investigation was conducted by the ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office Nevada Judicial District.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating violations of federal firearms laws.  More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.

Contact: Helen Dunkel, Special Agent, PIO For Immediate Release
Office: (925) 557-2815 
Cell: (925) 202-8135
Helen.dunkel@atf.gov

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives