Cassandra Gonzalez, False Statements, Texas 2023

Women Sentenced for Buying Firearm for Cartel Member

Two Texas women have been sentenced to a combined 18 months in federal prison for purchasing a firearm for a member of a Mexican drug cartel, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Cassandra Gonzalez, 51, and her 29-year-old daughter Imajah Tierra Cervantes were indicted in March for their roles in purchasing the firearm. Gonzalez pleaded guilty in June to false statements during the purchase of a firearm and was sentenced in October to 6 months in federal prison. Cervantes pleaded guilty in July to straw purchasing of a firearm and was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison.

This case is one of the first to involve a defendant pleading guilty to an offense outlined in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law by President Biden in June 2022.

On December 30, 2022, Gonzalez attempted to purchase a rifle from a federally firearm license (FFL) dealer in Lubbock, Texas. However, she certified on ATF Form 4473 that she was purchasing the firearm for herself and stated that she resided in Garland, Texas - an address that did not match her actual current address in Lubbock.

ATF agents contacted the FFL and notified them of the address issue. They learned that Gonzalez planned to return to the store on January 4, 2023, to complete the transaction. On that date, agents observed Gonzalez and Cervantes enter the FFL. Gonzalez paid for the firearm and Cervantes carried it out of the store. Agents intercepted the women, took custody of the rifle, and separated them for questioning.

Gonzalez admitted that the address she used on Form 4473 was not correct, but initially maintained that she purchased the rifle for herself. However, confronted with Cervantes' statements, Gonzalez admitted that she lied on the form, knowing full well that she intended to purchase the firearm not for herself, but on behalf of another person.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division – Lubbock Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew McLeod prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

Cassandra Gonzalez, 51, of Lubbock, Texas, pleaded guilty to false statements during the purchase of a firearm and was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison. Her daughter, Imajah Tierra Cervantes, 29, also of Lubbock, pleaded guilty to straw purchasing of a firearm and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison.

Criminal Charges:

Cassandra Gonzalez: False statements during the purchase of a firearm

Imajah Tierra Cervantes: Straw purchasing of a firearm

City and State:

Lubbock, Texas

Exact Date:

December 30, 2022 (attempted purchase), January 4, 2023 (completion of transaction)

Sentence or Outcome:

Cassandra Gonzalez: 6 months in federal prison

Imajah Tierra Cervantes: 12 months and one day in prison

Dollar Amounts:

$2,000 (payment received by Gonzalez and Cervantes for purchasing the firearm)

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/women-who-bought-firearm-mexican-cartel-member-sentenced