Related Federal Cases
- Wall Street Bailout: NY & CA Lose $2 Trillion · North Carolina
- Oklahoma Pipeline Fined $3.3M for Massive Jet Fuel Spill in Texas! · Alabama
- Border Blitz: 251 New Immigration Cases Flood Texas Courts · Alabama
- 250 New Immigrant Cases Hit Texas U.S. Attys’ Office · Texas
- MS-13 Gang Member Nabbed in Virginia After Multiple Deportations · Washington
Gun-Toting Imposter Lands in Prison
Osiel Cardenas Jr., the 26-year-old son of a former Gulf Cartel leader, has been ordered to federal prison after being convicted of illegally possessing a firearm and impersonating a U.S. Marshal. Cardenas pleaded guilty to the charges on May 22, 2018.
On March 14, 2018, authorities responded to the SKY Bar and Lounge in Brownsville, Texas, following reports of an individual brandishing a firearm inside the nightclub. Witnesses identified Cardenas as the individual who displayed a gold-colored badge and claimed to be a U.S. Marshal. They also stated that Cardenas ordered patrons to leave the club or face arrest, and that he brandished the firearm while doing so.
When officers arrested Cardenas for public intoxication, they found a gold-colored Cameron County District Attorney’s badge hanging under his shirt, along with a Bersa, .380 caliber firearm in his vehicle. The vehicle also contained his identification documents and U.S. currency. Witnesses later identified the firearm recovered from Cardenas’ vehicle as the one they saw him brandish inside the nightclub.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Brownsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Castro is prosecuting the case.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. handed down a 27-month sentence for Cardenas, which will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. The court also ordered Cardenas to pay a $15,000 fine.
Cardenas’ ties to organized crime have raised concerns, given his father’s involvement with the Gulf Cartel. However, the specifics of his connection to the cartel are not clear at this time. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impersonating law enforcement officials and the severe consequences that follow.
As Cardenas begins his prison sentence, authorities will be keeping a close eye on him to ensure that he does not continue to pose a threat to public safety.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Organized Crime|Weapons|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News