Elias Fidel Vega Jr., Firearms Convictions, Texas 2012

Laredo Resident Gets Max in Firearms Case

Laredo, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, Elias Fidel Vega Jr., 22, of Laredo, has been sentenced to the maximum 10 years in federal prison for multiple firearms convictions. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana after Vega pleaded guilty on November 13, 2012.

Vega’s conviction stems from a string of violent incidents that took place on April 14, 2012, in the 2600 block of Monterrey Ave. According to police reports, a shooting occurred, and officers arrived to find Elias F. Vega Sr. with a bullet wound to his back. The property was equipped with video surveillance cameras, which captured footage of Vega Jr. arriving at the house agitated and leaving with a handgun.

Further investigation revealed a confrontation between Vega Jr. and two individuals at the Vega property, resulting in a drive-by shooting. During the confrontation, Vega fired a .223 Bushmaster as a fully automatic machine gun, striking Vega Sr. in the process.

The case was investigated by the Laredo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ATF agents determined that Vega Jr. had been previously convicted in the 49th District Court in Webb County for evading arrest with a motor vehicle in 2010. Additionally, the ATF found that Vega Jr. did not have any registration records in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record to confirm registration of the Bushmaster .223 machine gun.

The investigation also revealed that the Bushmaster rifle had been altered and converted to fire as a fully automatic machine gun. Testing by the ATF revealed that the weapon automatically fired five rounds with a single function of the trigger.

On top of the 10-year prison sentence, Vega Jr. will also be required to serve three years of supervised release and pay a $2,500 fine. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raul Guerra.

Related Federal Cases