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Man Sentenced to Nearly Four Years for Trafficking Firearms to Canada

Cape Coral man gets 3 years, 10 months for trafficking handguns to Canada after false statements.

byEditorial Staff

November 17, 2025, 9:22 PM

Close-up of a person's hands in silver handcuffs, wearing a bright orange prison jumpsuit.

A close-up showing a suspect's hands secured in metal handcuffs while wearing an orange correctional jumpsuit. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Derick Desir was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for his role in a firearm trafficking conspiracy.

Desir straw-purchased approximately twelve Glock handguns in Florida, falsely representing himself as the actual buyer, knowing they were destined for trafficking to Canada.

At least five of the handguns purchased by Desir were later recovered by Canadian law enforcement, highlighting the international scope of the conspiracy.

Laws and Precedent

Derick Desir was sentenced in federal court for conspiring to make false statements and making false statements to a firearms dealer, specifically engaging in “straw purchasing” where an individual falsely claims to be the actual buyer of firearms. These charges fall under federal law, often prosecuted under statutes like 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6) for false statements in connection with firearm acquisition and 18 U.S.C. § 371 for conspiracy, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to disrupting illegal firearm trafficking networks, especially those with international connections, as part of initiatives like Operation Take Back America.

A Cape Coral man, Derick Desir, has been sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for his role in a firearm trafficking conspiracy that saw numerous handguns illegally purchased in Florida and subsequently trafficked to Canada. U.S. District Judge Kyle Dudek handed down the sentence on Monday, November 17, 2025, in Fort Myers, following Desir’s guilty plea to charges of conspiring to make false statements and making false statements to a firearms dealer.

Case Details

Desir, 28, admitted to joining a conspiracy in May 2022 to “straw purchase” handguns, a practice where an individual buys firearms on behalf of another person who is typically prohibited from purchasing them or intends to traffic them. In June 2022, Desir acquired approximately twelve Glock handguns through seven transactions from six different federally licensed firearms dealers located in Lee County.

During these purchases, Desir falsely represented himself as the actual buyer to each dealer, despite knowing that the firearms were destined for trafficking to Canada. This deceptive practice directly facilitated the illegal movement of weapons across international borders.

Evidence presented in court revealed the international reach of the conspiracy, with at least five of the twelve handguns purchased by Desir later recovered by Canadian law enforcement during various investigations.

Investigation and Prosecution

The case was a collaborative effort, investigated by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Simon Eth prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice. The operation aims to leverage the full resources of the Department to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime. It integrates efforts from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Looking Ahead

Desir’s sentencing underscores the federal government’s commitment to disrupting firearm trafficking networks and holding individuals accountable for their roles in such conspiracies. The ongoing efforts of Operation Take Back America continue to target those who facilitate the illegal flow of weapons and contribute to transnational crime.