Sourivahn Phonthepsone, a Canadian citizen, has been sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to traffic firearms from the United States to Canada. The case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “Firearm traffickers present a danger to communities everywhere, both nationally and internationally.” He emphasized the commitment to work with federal law enforcement partners to dismantle gun trafficking operations.
ATF Assistant Agent in Charge Alicia D. Jones commented on the significance of this conviction, stating, “The arrest and conviction of this individual represent a significant victory in the fight against international firearms trafficking.”
According to court information, Phonthepsone conspired over three months in 2023 with others to purchase 50 firearms for $40,000 from a source in Atlanta, Georgia. His intent was to transport these firearms to Canada for resale. In August 2023, he began communications with a U.S. source about acquiring firearms and offered to travel for an in-person meeting.
In September 2023, Phonthepsone traveled from Toronto to Dallas and met with the source and an undercover agent. They discussed firearm types and prices; Phonthepsone agreed on $800 per firearm with plans for resale at approximately $2,000 each in Canada. He provided a $1,000 down payment before returning to Canada.
On October 6, 2023, Phonthepsone flew back from Toronto to Atlanta and arranged another meeting on October 11 at a storage unit in Fairburn, Georgia. There he paid $40,000 cash for the firearms before being arrested by ATF agents.
Phonthepsone was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash Jr., receiving seven years and three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty on April 29, 2024.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case while Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise K. Peters prosecuted it.
For more information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office or visit their website.