Investigations

On September 12, 2018, Joseph Rocco was indicted in U.S. District Court, District of Utah, for receipt of a firearm and ammunition while under indictment, dealing in firearms without a license, sale or transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person, sale of a stolen firearm, smuggling, and possession of a controlled substance.

 

The indictment alleges that on or about July 2018 and continuing until August 2, 2018, while under indictment for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, Rocco received 2,000 rounds of ammunition and several firearms, including an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a 9 mm handgun, and other shotguns and rifles. He sold several of them to a person who was prohibited from owning firearms.

 

Rocco was indicted in April 2018 for the laser charge and arrested during a traffic stop in July 2018.

 

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Utah Department of Public Safety; the Federal Aviation Administration is providing assistance.

 

Note: Indictments, informations and criminal complaints, are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.