UPS driver found guilty of stealing dozens of guns

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) - A former Southern California UPS driver was found guilty Thursday of stealing dozens of guns to sell them on the black market.

Curtis Hays, 37, of Rancho Cucamonga, was convicted of 15 counts, including conspiracy, six counts of theft of firearms, six counts of receipt and possession of stolen firearms, and two counts of theft of interstate shipments, after a six-day trial, a U.S. attorney's statement said.

Evidence showed that Hays stole six shipments at UPS shipping hub in Ontario from May through October in 2012, prosecutors said. The packages contained 72 guns, including 12-gauge shotguns and .45-caliber handguns, which were supposed to be delivered to Turner's Outdoorsman in Rancho Cucamonga.

He also stole shipments of jewelry and mobile phones that were supposed to go to Costco, also in Rancho Cucamonga.

Hays faces up to 115 years in federal prison when he's sentenced by U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Philips on March 30.

An associate, 35-year-old Dennis Dell White Jr. of Moreno Valley, previously pleaded guilty to one count of theft of firearms, and is scheduled for sentencing on May 4.

Hays gave the stolen firearms to White, who illegally sold the weapons to others and then some of those were sold again.

The other merchandise Hays stole was also allegedly given to White.

UPS said at the time of Hays' arrest that he had been fired immediately and his actions are "not representative of the integrity of our organization and the performance of our drivers."