A Jefferson City man who supervises workers at the federal courthouse in Jefferson City has been charged in federal court with illegally selling 11 firearms to a convicted felon.
Victor Vargas, 40, was charged in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield on Saturday with selling firearms to a felon. Vargas, who is employed as the custodial supervisor at the Christopher S. Bond Courthouse in Jefferson City, was in federal custody as of Monday afternoon.
A confidential source who is a convicted felon contacted Vargas on April 24 by phone, according to an affidavit. During several recorded communications between the confidential source and Vargas that occurred April 24-25, Vargas allegedly agreed to sell the confidential source 10 firearms for $7,500. Authorities said Vargas knew the confidential source was a convicted felon who therefore is prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition.
The confidential source contacted Vargas again April 30, and Vargas agreed to sell the confidential source an additional rifle for $800. For all 11 firearms, the price was $8,100.
Law enforcement officers conducted surveillance on a firearms dealer in Jefferson City on Wednesday and saw Vargas carry two boxes of firearms from the store, put them in his car, and take them to his residence in the 1200 block of East Elm Street.
Vargas met with the confidential source Friday and sold the firearms to the confidential source on the lot of the Walmart Supercenter on Supercenter Drive. Immediately after the transaction, Vargas was placed under arrest. The firearms were turned over to officers, who also found an additional handgun and ammunition when they searched Vargas' vehicle.
Court records show Vargas "touted his ability to manufacture untraceable firearms and obliterate the serial number from firearms and he knew the weapons he sold were going to the streets of Chicago for use by a felon."
This case was investigated by the Chicago Police Department; the Jefferson City Police Department Community Action Team; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.