Former National Guard Member Sentenced for Firearms Crimes
A Sacramento judge sentenced a former task force member to over two years in prison for illegal weapons charges.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Drug Crime
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Judge Dena Coggins sentenced 37-year-old Ruby Uribe to two years and five months in federal prison for possession of illegal firearms. Uribe was found guilty by a jury earlier this year for crimes committed while serving in the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.
Why it matters
The case highlights the misuse of sensitive law enforcement information by an insider who leaked details about drug raids to a dealer. Beyond the security breach, Uribe faced charges for the illegal modification and sale of prohibited weapons.
Ruby Celly Uribe was sentenced to two years and five months in prison following her guilty verdict delivered on May 26, 2026. The sentence concludes a federal prosecution involving illegal firearms and the leakage of official drug task force data.
The players
Ruby Celly Uribe
She is a 37-year-old former member of the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force who was convicted of federal weapons offenses.
Dena Coggins
She is the federal judge who presided over the case in Sacramento and issued the sentence.
California National Guard
This is the state military force that housed the Counterdrug Task Force where Uribe served.
The details
Uribe, while serving with the California National Guard, used text messages to disclose operational details regarding drug raids to an individual involved in drug dealing. Federal agents subsequently seized a machine gun and a short-barreled rifle from her residence, which she had modified to fire in full-automatic mode.
Timeline
July 20, 2022: Uribe sold a short-barreled machine gun to a co-worker.
August 2022: Uribe sold another illegal firearm.
May 26, 2026: A jury found Uribe guilty of the charges.
October 9, 2026: Judge Coggins sentenced Uribe to prison.
Legal Context
This case follows the strict regulatory standards set by the National Firearms Act concerning the possession and illegal modification of prohibited firearms. Similar prosecutions in the region emphasize the federal government's commitment to policing internal security breaches.
The conviction serves as a reminder of the heightened security protocols surrounding state-level drug task forces in the Sacramento area. No specific safety advisories were issued for residents following the sentencing of the former task force member.
The takeaway
This case illustrates the severe legal consequences for public servants who leverage their access to sensitive information for illicit gain. Authorities emphasize that the unauthorized modification of firearms remains a primary target for federal law enforcement.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings involving illicit weapons, visit the Drug Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The United States Department of Justice.
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