Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan has denied allegations that members of the Presidential Guard, or Paspampres, had bought weapons illegally from the United States. (Antara Photo/Muhammad Adimaja)

Jakarta. A US court has found a soldier participated in a scheme to purchase guns and send them to members of the Indonesian presidential security detail, an explosive report reveals.

Indonesian descendent, Audi Sumilat, of El Paso, Texas, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday (06/07) to one count of conspiracy to make false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

In his testimony, Audi said he purchased firearms for his personal use, but later prosecutors proved he had distributed the weaponry to members of the Indonesian Presidential Guard, known as Paspampres.

Assistant US Attorney Bill Morse said there have been cases in New Hampshire and other states involving international firearms trafficking to countries including Ghana, Canada and Mexico.

"But this is the first case that I'm aware of in which the intended beneficiaries of the trafficking were representatives of a foreign government," Morse said as reported by Armytimes and various media outlets.

US authorities said Audi had joined a conspiracy to purchase guns in Texas and New Hampshire for members of Papampres — tasked with providing security to the president and vice president — who can not lawfully buy the weapons themselves.

Eight Paspampres members, who are under the supervision of Indonesian National Defense (TNI), were allegedly involved these case.

During the court trial, Audi confessed he and three Paspampres members hatched the plan in 2014 when they were stationed together for training in Fort Benning, Georgia.

To have legally exported the guns, Audi was required to get an exporter's license and a license covering the specific guns exported. No licenses were issued.

Audi's partner sent the weapons to Paspampres members when they visited Washington DC and the UN General Assembly in New York, from which the firearms were taken overseas.

The US Attorney in New Hampshire, Emily Gray Rice, said the consequences of international gun trafficking can be grave.

"Firearms exported overseas illegally can easily end up in the wrong hands," she said in a statement. "International gun trafficking will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible to protect innocent individuals, both American and foreign, from the criminal use of US weapons abroad."

The 36-year-old will be sentenced in October and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. A co-conspirator has also been charged and is scheduled to be tried on July 19.

Meanwhile, the head of information center at the TNI, Maj. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman, said the purchase of firearms by the Paspampres in the US is "legal."

“It happened last year but only recently he was sentenced. Our members have bought the firearms legally,” Tatang said, as reported by Tempo.

Based on the Indonesian military police's investigation, the members of Paspampres bought the firearms legally but have yet to meet administrative requirements.

"Once the administrative requirements are completed, it will not be a problem,” Tatang added.

Despite the denial, the House of Representatives called on the military to explain the details of the acquisition. Deputy chairman of the House Commission I — which oversees military and foreign affairs — Tubagus Hasanuddin said neither the Paspampres or TNI requested a budget to buy the firearms, as it was never listed in the 2015 state budget.

According to Indonesian law, TNI must request an approval from the House to buy new weaponry, including firearms.

“We [the House Commission I] are afraid this illegal trade was made by Paspampres members individually,” Tubagus told the Jakarta Globe in a statement.

Weaponry trade has to be done by procedure through a contract submitted by the military command base, Tubagus added.

The former presidential military secretary urged TNI to clarify the issue.

“If there is any individual members of the Paspampres proven to be involved in this case, he should be sentenced according to law,” Tubagus said.