The mayor, Eddie Espinoza, allegedly served as a so-called straw buyer for 22 pistols, and he leased an apartment in a gated El Paso, Texas complex that was used to store weapons

The mayor, Eddie Espinoza, allegedly served as a so-called straw buyer for 22 pistols, and he leased an apartment in a gated El Paso, Texas complex that was used to store weapons, according to the indictment.

Police Chief Angelo Vega allegedly bought bullet-proof vests and other body armor to be smuggled, participated in a cash pickup in Albuquerque, and twice called federal agents to try to intercede on behalf of a village councilman, Blas Gutierrez, according to the indictment. Mr. Gutierrez is also accused in the smuggling scheme.

Lawyers for Mr. Espinoza and Mr. Gutierrez said they expected their clients to plead not guilty at Tuesday's arraignment. In the government indictment, the lawyers said, federal authorities presented neither an explanation of how the weapons were transported into Mexico nor their clients' involvement in any alleged smuggling operation.

Mr. Vega's attorney declined to comment in an email, saying that information about the case is still sparse.

The accused gun smugglers are deeply intertwined with the community. Roberto Gutierrez, who owns the local grocery store and is a village councilman, is now the acting mayor. He has not been implicated in any wrongdoing. Among those arrested were his brother-in-law—the mayor—as well as his son, the councilman, a daughter and a nephew.

"It's a very trying time for our family," Mr. Gutierrez said. He said he wasn't aware his relatives were allegedly involved in any illegal business.


"Under the law," he said, "you're innocent until proven guilty."