U.S. Department of Justice
Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez
United States Attorney
District of Puerto Rico

Torre Chardón Bldg., Suite 1201
350 C. Chardón Avenue
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918
(787) 766-5656

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 28, 2008

28 INDIVIDUALS INDICTED FOR EXTORTION UNDER COLOR OF OFFICIAL RIGHT AND CONSPIRACY TO PROVIDE FALSE STATEMENTS TO PURCHASE FIREARMS

SAN JUAN, PR - On February 27, 2008, a Grand Jury returned an indictment accusing 28 individuals, among them Lieutenant Carlos Cochran, Director of the Weapons Registry Section at the Puerto Rico Police Department (POPR), of extortion under color of official right, conspiracy to provide false statements during the purchase of a firearm, and aiding and abetting each other in the commission of these crimes. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.

From in or about June 2003, through the date of the Indictment, the defendants did knowingly, wilfully, and unlawfully obstruct, delay, affect and attempt to affect commerce and the movement of articles and commodities in commerce by extortion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1951 and 2. The defendants are also accused of making false and fictitious statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms from licensed dealers of firearms, which statements were intended to deceive the firearm dealers as to a fact material to the lawfulness of such sale of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(a)(6) and 371.

The conspiracy included a group of individuals who could manipulate records, recruit the three witnesses required to attest as to the good reputation of the applicants, and could also obtain other required certifications from government agencies without following the proper procedures, in order to obtain firearms licences. Digna Mojica-Hernández had access to POPR personnel responsible for issuing firearms licenses for target practice, and who were custodians of criminal records. The application process to obtain a firearm license is a long one, which may typically take months or years, but Mojica was able to get the licenses for her clients within weeks. She also had access to weapons dealers (armories) who sold to her clients all kinds of weapons, knowing the licenses were illegally obtained. Mojica also offered her husband's services to convert semi-automatic weapons to fully-automatic.

Rafael Ferran-Rodríguez is a retired Police of Puerto Rico (POPR) Lieutenant, and Mojica's husband. Ferran-Rodríguez offered his services to convert semi-automatic weapons to fully-automatic after Mojica's clients got their weapons. Carlos Cochran is a Lieutenant of the POPR and current Director of the Weapons Registry Section at POPR Headquarters in San Juan , Puerto Rico . Cochran received money and goods from Mojica in exchange for taking or fabricating the fingerprints for her clients at POPR Headquarters, and expediting the process of getting the firearms permits.

Jeannette Cruz was the person who assisted in getting the licenses inside POPR Headquarters and had access to all their information systems to manipulate the records of Mojica's clients. She also received goods from Mojica. Sandro Giovanny Esquerdo-Mojica is the son of Mojica. He worked for his mother getting documents and signing as a witness in sworn statements for his mother’s clients. The rest of the defendants were either clients who paid for their licences, or Mojica’s employees who solicited clients for her.

“These public officials abused their positions of trust by accepting payment to facilitate access to firearms permits. The submission of fraudulent documentation in support of applications for firearms permits, which eventually result in the issuance of permits and the purchase of weapons is a serious threat to the security and safety of our citizens. The individuals charged today have put the community at risk by fraudulently sidestepping the established procedures to obtain a firearms permit. The process is intended to protect the public from individuals who may not meet the requirements to acquire a firearm. Through their actions, Mojica and those public officials who facilitated her clients’ firearms permit applications, tainted the permits upon which firearms dealers rely upon to sell weapons,” said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez during a press conference.

Penalties for the offenses alleged in count one through four are up to 10 years in prison and a fine not more than $250,000.00; for counts five through 26, up to 20 years of prison and a fine not more than $250,000.00.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The Police of Puerto Rico provided substantial assistance and cooperation throughout the course of the investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ernesto López-Soltero.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.