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Date: 07-22-2017
Case Style:
United States of America v. Oscar Gumaro Pruneda-Garcia and Rene Garcia-Araujo
Federal Courthouse - McAllen, Texas
Case Number: 7:16-cr-01606
Judge: Richardo H. Hinojosa
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Hidalgo County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Linda Requénez
Defendant's Attorney: Carlos Garcia for Rene Garcia-Araujo
Azalea Aleman-Bendiks - FPD for Oscar Gumaro Pruneda-Garcia
Description: McAllen, TX - Mexican Nationals Sent to Prison for Firearms Charge
Two men who had been admitted into the country from Mexico under a non-immigrant visa were ordered to prison for illegally possessing firearms.
On July 20, 2017, U.S. District Ricardo H. Hinojosa took into consideration the fact that both men collectively possessed 12 firearms and ordered Pruneda and Garcia to serve 21 and 15 months, respectively. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hinojosa noted the seriousness of the offense given the gun violence in Mexico. Both are also expected to face revocation of their visas and deportation proceedings following their release from prison.
On Oct. 15, 2016, authorities conducted surveillance at a gun show in McAllen and observed multiple suspicious purchases of semi-automatic firearms. Law enforcement followed and subsequently stopped Pruneda and Garcia after they departed from the gun show, at which time they were taken into custody.
The investigation also led agents to a residence in Weslaco. Searches of the vehicle Pruneda was driving and the Weslaco residence resulted in the seizure of 12 firearms and approximately 67 firearm magazines.
After his arrest, Pruneda said he was being paid to purchase firearms and smuggle them to Mexico. For his part, Garcia admitted that after Pruneda purchased the firearms, he took some of them and placed them in the vehicle.
Foreign nationals who are admitted into the United States under a non-immigrant visa are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, unless they have been admitted to the United States for lawful hunting or sporting purposes or they are in possession of a hunting license or permit lawfully issued in the United States.
Pruneda and Garcia have been and will remain in federal custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the McAllen Police Department.
Outcome: Pruneda and Garcia were sentenced to serve 21 and 15 months respectively.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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