HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — The former basic sales manager of Covert dealership in Hutto is experiencing a federal felony demand — accused of dealing much extra than SUVs off the ton.
Federal prosecutors say he was trafficking weapons.
Craig Aaron Tondre was arrested in April. He’s accused of working firearms without the need of a license. Investigators also say he was not at it by yourself.
A U.S. District Court docket criminal complaint filed April 6 lays out the illegal gross sales of many firearms through a chain of command.
In accordance to arrest affidavits, Tondre was doing the job with an additional employee at the Covert dealership who is also a convicted felon, Joseph Ellard.
KXAN acquired Ellard’s booking photo from the Florida Division of Corrections of his arrest for second diploma murder in the 90s. Now, Ellard is charged with felon in possession of a firearm and a equipment gun.
As a result of an elaborate investigation, Austin Law enforcement Division detectives and Bureau of Alcoholic beverages, Tobacco, and Firearms Austin Process Power (ATF) brokers learned the product sales happening at the dealership found at 1200 U.S. 79, which is south of Limmer Loop in Hutto.
In accordance to the complaint, Ellard who utilized perform for Tondre is accused of marketing various firearms, together with a device gun and a tactical rifle, moreover ammunition and a silencer to undercover agents at the dealership back in February.
Tondre was not existing during these particular offers the place personal firearms were being bought for countless numbers of pounds, but brokers noticed a black Ford Explorer regarded to belong to him both of those at the scene and at his house throughout surveillance. He was also later on noticed carrying an AR-design and style rifle out of his household and transporting it to the dealership, brokers say.
On March 31, a purchase was arranged at Tondre’s home, where by the male claiming to be working under Tondre fulfilled an undercover detective. The agent claimed looking at about 10 firearms and a work station, which later on brought on Tondre’s arrest.
Tondre was booked into the Burnet County Jail on April 8, charged with working firearms with out a license and has given that bonded out. His lawyer declined to remark at the time of this report.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Covert Car Team produced a statement, declaring:
“Two personnel who labored for Covert Ford Hutto had their employment terminated immediately following administration was informed of their arrests on allegations of offering unlawful firearms. Covert Ford Hutto was not knowledgeable of any alleged unlawful exercise by these staff members on our premises until finally the time of arrest. As soon as we discovered of the arrests, they have been terminated. The actions of these former employees do not mirror the values and business enterprise methods of Covert Ford Hutto. No member of management or ownership knew of any unlawful action prior to the arrests of the people.”
Covert Automobile Group