Jesus Guadalupe Covarrubias, Straw Purchasing, Texas 2021

LAREDO, Texas - Jesus Guadalupe Covarrubias, a 39-year-old Laredo resident and convicted felon, has entered a guilty plea for his role in a scheme to straw purchase multiple firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Between February 2021 and July 2021, Covarrubias aided and abetted the straw purchasing of multiple rifles. In July 2021, authorities discovered the theft of approximately 10 AK-style and 20 AR-style rifles at a ranch Covarrubias owned, in violation of federal law prohibiting convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Further investigation led law enforcement to Covarrubias' residence in Laredo where they observed Covarrubias and others placing items into nearby vehicles. Covarrubias left the house with two others and went to a second home where authorities observed the movement of three rifles from a truck into the house. Covarrubias and others were taken into custody.

Covarrubias admitted to knowing he was a convicted felon and unable to possess firearms and ammunition. As part of his guilty plea, he acknowledged sending others to stores to purchase firearms on his behalf.

After his arrest in August 2021, Covarrubias was permitted release upon posting bond but fled to Mexico. Law enforcement eventually took him into custody, and he was returned to U.S. authorities on February 21.

Covarrubias will remain in custody pending sentencing, where he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña will impose the sentence at a later date.

ATF conducted the investigation with assistance from the Webb County Sheriff's Office and Laredo Police Department. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Covarrubias. U.S. Marshals Service completed the removal of Covarrubias from Mexico to the Southern District of Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day prosecuted the case.

The case is an important reminder that criminals cannot hide from justice, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. 'Straw purchasing is not only a direct violation of the law, but it also endangers our communities by enabling prohibited individuals to gain access to firearms,' said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 'These dangerous actions jeopardize public safety and undermine the trust that we place in our justice system.'

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/felon-extradited-mexico-pleads-guilty-illegally-acquiring-multiple-firearms