A Salvadorean arms dealer caught transporting drugs in the D.C. region pleaded guilty Wednesday to supporting the Colombian terrorist organization FARC.
Hector Antonio Martinez-Guillen, 32, pleaded guilty in federal court in Alexandria to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and carrying a destructive device during a crime of violence.
Martinez-Guillen was arrested in November at Washington Dulles International Airport. Prosecutors said he was traveling to the District to transfer a load of 20 kilograms — about 44 pounds — of cocaine to New York City for FARC.
He was nabbed in a weapons sting operation. Prosecutors said Martinez-Guillen admitted to selling C-4 explosives, blasting caps, automatic rifles and ammunition to a person he believed was working for FARC.
He also admitted that he believed FARC would use the weapons and explosives to harm American troops and military consultants in Colombia.
“Our office is committed to finding and prosecuting those who provide these terrorist groups with the tools of destruction, no matter where they may be found,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil MacBride.
Martinez-Guillen was indicted in February and will be sentenced July 29. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
