Criminal charges have been filed against a Los Angeles County sheriff's employee accused of illegally supplying a gun to a family friend who used it in a homicide, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Amelia Suarez, a security officer for the sheriff's department, allegedly provided false information on a federal firearms purchase application to buy two guns, one of which she sold to her friend, a news release from the Los Angeles City Attorney's office said.
On Oct. 14, 2014, prosecutors say Suarez bought two 9mm pistols, along with three magazines, from Botach Tactical in Leimert Park.
Botach Tactical violated the law by selling more than one handgun to an individual within a 30-day period, City Attorney Mike Feuer said.
Early this year, Suarez allegedly sold the gun to the friend, who used it to commit a homicide in Riverside County, prosecutors said. The gun was still registered in Suarez' name.
Suarez faces charges including conducting a firearms transaction where neither party holds a dealer's license.
The owner of Botach Tactical, Barkochba Botach, also faces charges including the sale of a large-capacity magazine and more than one handgun within a 30-day period.
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Neighbors who live near the gun shop said they have been trying to get the business moved out of their family-friendly block for more than a decade.
"For many years, there's been complaint, complaint, complaint," said LA City Councilman Herb Wesson.
The sheriff’s department said Suarez was relieved of duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
Gordon Tokumatsu contributed to this report.
