Man Gets 15 Years for Stealing Guns to Fund Drugs

Shawn Cole Camu, a convicted felon from Alamogordo, was sentenced in federal court after stealing two firearms from an El Paso gun dealer.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Drug Crime

Economist-style flat-color illustration of a stone courthouse on a distant mesa under overcast sky, evoking federal justice in New Mexico. — A federal judge in El Paso sentenced Shawn Cole Camu, 38, of Alamogordo, to 15 years in prison on Wednesday, Nov. 4, for stealing two guns to fund drugs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone sentenced Shawn Cole Camu, 38, to 15 years in federal prison on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Camu stole two firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee in El Paso on January 9 and pleaded guilty to all three federal charges on August 11.

Why it matters

The case shows federal prosecutors pursuing firearms theft that feeds illegal drug activity, with the sentence reaching the statutory maximum for each offense. It also highlights the risk posed when convicted felons gain access to weapons through licensed dealers.

Camu was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to all three federal charges, the statutory maximum for each offense. The stolen firearms' recovery status and any further related charges were not reported.

The players

Kathleen Cardone

Kathleen Cardone is a U.S. District Judge who presides over federal cases in the Western District of Texas, including this sentencing.

The details

Camu, a convicted felon, stole two firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee in El Paso, Texas, and transported them to his home in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He intended to sell the weapons to obtain money for drugs, and he was arrested on January 10 and indicted in February.

January 9: Camu stole two firearms from an El Paso gun dealer.
January 10: Authorities arrested Camu.
February: Camu was indicted on three federal charges.
August 11: Camu pleaded guilty to all three charges.
Wednesday, Nov. 4: Camu was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

Legal Context

Federal prosecutors charge repeat felons under statutes such as 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), which bars convicted felons from possessing firearms and has long been used to pursue offenders with extensive records. Cases like Camu's, in which a licensed dealer is robbed or burglarized, typically draw the strongest federal penalties because they combine illegal possession with trafficking intent.

Gun dealers in the region face continued scrutiny over theft prevention and security at licensed premises. Residents of Alamogordo and El Paso should be aware that firearms stolen during dealer break-ins can circulate into local drug markets.

The takeaway

Stolen firearms often move quickly into the illegal market, and federal sentences like this one reflect how seriously prosecutors treat felons who obtain guns. Readers concerned about firearm safety can check local licensing and dealer security practices.