Jimmy Lara, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Texas 2022

LAREDO, TX – A brazen shooting on Pinder Avenue last January landed 29-year-old Jimmy Lara in federal prison for nearly a decade. Lara was sentenced today to 108 months, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty in February 2022 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The incident unfolded on January 5, 2022, when 911 calls flooded in reporting gunfire on the 1500 block of Pinder Avenue. Witnesses reported a passenger in a brown pickup truck opening fire on a white van. When law enforcement attempted to pull over the truck, Lara bolted, ditching what would later be identified as a .22 caliber revolver on Juarez Avenue during a short foot chase.

That handgun wasn’t just illegally possessed – it was stolen. The .22 caliber revolver was traced back to a theft in Mathis, adding another layer to Lara’s legal woes. Crucially, prosecutors presented evidence suggesting the shooting occurred near a school, and that Lara discarded the loaded weapon in the vicinity, potentially triggering sentencing enhancements.

Lara’s criminal history sealed his fate. Prior convictions for both robbery and aggravated robbery disqualified him from legally owning any firearm or ammunition under federal law. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña took this into account during sentencing, handing down the maximum allowed under the circumstances.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, with vital assistance from the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison prosecuted the case, building a solid case against Lara based on witness testimony, recovered evidence, and his extensive criminal record.

Lara remains in custody awaiting transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. This case serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing firearms – particularly after prior felony convictions – carries severe consequences, and the ATF will continue to aggressively pursue these cases to keep our communities safe. U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani’s office announced the sentencing.

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