LAREDO, TX – Daniel Arturo Lozano, 46, of San Ygnacio, is headed to federal prison after a jury found him guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lozano’s reckless actions – brandishing an AR-15 at law enforcement following a disturbance – earned him a 46-month sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo.
The incident unfolded June 21, 2021, at Lozano’s Country Store in San Ygnacio. Deputies responded to reports of Lozano exhibiting angry and disorderly behavior. Instead of cooperating, Lozano bolted, leading officers on a vehicle chase before returning to the store. That’s when things escalated. Lozano exited his truck and brazenly displayed an AR-style rifle, then left the weapon at the store before fleeing again. He was apprehended later that night.
Lozano’s defense team attempted a weak gambit, arguing the weapon he brandished was merely a realistic-looking pellet gun. However, the jury wasn’t buying it. Presented with both the pellet gun and the actual AR-style rifle side-by-side, jurors quickly identified the latter as the firearm Lozano displayed. The evidence spoke for itself, and the jury reached a verdict in just 45 minutes after a one-day trial.
The conviction hinges on Lozano’s prior criminal record. He’s previously been convicted of cocaine possession, a felony that legally prohibits him from owning firearms or ammunition. The judge made a point of highlighting this fact during sentencing, stating Lozano “have to make some changes.” The court clearly wasn’t impressed with Lozano’s attempt to skirt the law.
The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with crucial assistance from the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Bajew and David Fawcett successfully prosecuted the case, securing Lozano’s conviction and ensuring he faces significant time behind bars. Lozano will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
This case serves as a stark reminder that brandishing a firearm, especially with a prior felony conviction, carries severe consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on similar incidents of gun violence and criminal activity across the nation.
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