Weslaco Felon Benny Garcia Sentenced for Gun Possession

McALLEN, Texas – The grim tale of Benny Guadalupe Garcia, 34, from Weslaco, takes a darker turn as he’s sentenced to federal prison for his latest offense: being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Garcia was handed a 30-month sentence by U.S. District Judge Randy Crane, who also ordered three years of supervised release following his term. His crime? The possession of a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number and hollow-tip ammunition, unearthed during a traffic stop in Edinburg.

“Removing guns from the hands of violent, multi-convicted felons remains the focus of the ATF,” said Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski. Garcia’s previous convictions include two burglaries of a habitation, multiple assaults, and possession of controlled substances.

The judge noted that both Garcia and his co-defendant, Rodolfo Rodriguez Jr., were involved in gang activity, adding weight to the seriousness of their offense. Rodriguez, 26, from Edinburg, was sentenced to 70 months and also faces supervised release.

Both men admitted to being felons in possession of the firearm found during a routine traffic stop on November 26, 2019. They are currently in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

The ATF conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Edinburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuted the case, ensuring that justice was served for Garcia’s latest transgression.