Victor Jose Marino Pullo, a 24-year-old citizen of Ecuador, has been arrested and charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. If convicted, Marino Pullo could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, the criminal complaint states that on November 25, 2025, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers encountered Marino Pullo at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry while he was driving a U-Haul box truck. He and another individual were moving from Connecticut to Buffalo and were following GPS directions that led them onto the Peace Bridge. Although they did not enter Canada, Marino Pullo turned around on the bridge and was then inspected by CBP officers.
Both men were referred for secondary inspection due to lacking proper immigration documents. During this process, officers found photos on Marino Pullo’s cell phone showing him holding a pistol. A subsequent search of the U-Haul truck resulted in the discovery of a loaded pistol inside a cardboard box filled with clothes.
Record checks showed that Marino Pullo had previously been encountered by U.S. Border Patrol on four separate occasions and had been removed from the United States each time.
The investigation is being conducted by Customs and Border Protection under Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations led by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
“The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty,” according to officials.
