Houston Gun Builder Joffre Cross III Back Behind Bars

HOUSTON, TX – Joffre Cross III, 34, of Houston, is heading back to prison. The convicted felon was sentenced today to 57 months in federal lockup for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, a repeat offense that drew the ire of the court. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick announced the sentence, a clear message that repeat offenders will face serious consequences.

Cross pleaded guilty on February 5th, admitting to the unlawful possession of weapons despite a prior felony conviction. Chief U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal didn’t mince words, citing Cross’s history – a 2008 conviction in North Carolina federal court for distribution of controlled substances stemming from his time in the U.S. Army, where he stole from and sold drugs from a military hospital – as a key factor in the sentencing. Judge Rosenthal increased the sentence due to the sheer number of firearms Cross had cobbled together himself.

The bust went down on February 20, 2019, when federal agents executed a search warrant at Cross’s Houston residence. Inside, they found an AK-style rifle and a staggering 2200 rounds of ammunition. But that wasn’t all. Authorities also discovered a homemade pistol and three additional, fully constructed homemade rifles, showcasing Cross’s clear intent and capacity for building illegal weapons.

Federal law explicitly prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from possessing firearms or ammunition. Cross’s prior conviction should have been a clear deterrent, but he ignored the law, amassing a dangerous arsenal. This case highlights the ongoing struggle to keep guns out of the hands of those who would misuse them, and the lengths to which some individuals will go to circumvent the law.

“Preventing potentially violent criminal activity by intercepting illegally obtained firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition is at the core of the ATF mission,” stated Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “Leveraging our partnerships to disrupt the shooting cycle remains our focus.” The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI and ATF, demonstrating the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling gun crime.

Cross remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Schammel prosecuted the case, ensuring Cross faced the full weight of the law. This conviction sends a strong signal: those who illegally possess firearms, especially repeat offenders, will be held accountable for their actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the federal system.