AMARILLO, TX – Gabriel Michael Rendon, 28, of Amarillo, is facing a potential life sentence after federal agents discovered a massive stockpile of weapons – 76 firearms, including 54 illegal Glock switches – linked to his alleged drug trafficking operation. The bust, announced Tuesday by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton, highlights the growing danger of easily converted machine guns flooding the streets of North Texas.
Rendon is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, possession of machineguns, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities say Rendon was legally barred from owning any firearms due to a prior conviction in Arkansas for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. The indictment details an arsenal consisting of 43 pistols, 23 rifles, 4 shotguns, and 4 revolvers, all allegedly used to protect his narcotics business.
The real danger, officials say, lies in the 54 Glock switches seized during the investigation. These small, inexpensive devices transform semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic machineguns with a single pull of the trigger. “Glock switches…are proliferating rapidly in North Texas,” Simonton stated. “An armed drug trafficker is always bad news; a drug trafficker armed with a switch is exponentially more dangerous.” Federal law classifies Glock switches as machineguns, making their possession illegal for most civilians.
Adding to the complexity of the case, Rendon’s wife, Jane Marie Burgess, 26, has been charged with making false statements during the purchase of firearms. According to the indictment, Burgess allegedly lied on ATF Form 4473, claiming she was the actual buyer when she intended to transfer the weapons to her husband. Investigators say that during a search of the Rendon residence on July 26th, Burgess admitted Gabriel Rendon was constantly armed while at home.
“Citizens of Amarillo can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Mr. Rendon no longer terrorizes the streets of their city,” said ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II. “Illegal firearms and illicit drugs are never a good combination, especially when those guns are possessed by a prohibited person.” The investigation was a joint effort by the ATF, the Amarillo Police Department, and the Randall County Sheriff’s Office.
If convicted on all counts, Gabriel Rendon faces up to life in federal prison. Jane Burgess faces a maximum sentence of 10 years. An indictment is merely an allegation, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Pinkham is prosecuting the case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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