CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – John Henry Jimenez, 37, a known member of the notorious Texas Syndicate prison gang, is headed back to federal prison after being caught twice with illegal handguns in a matter of months. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos handed down a 40-month sentence Tuesday, followed by three years of supervised release, for the repeat offender.
Jimenez, also known as “Joker,” initially pleaded guilty on September 28, 2022. The case stemmed from a March 2, 2022 traffic stop where officers discovered a handgun with its serial number deliberately obliterated stashed under the driver’s seat. As if that weren’t enough, a second traffic stop just two months later – in May – revealed another handgun tucked into Jimenez’s waistband.
This isn’t Jimenez’s first rodeo. He was already on supervised release after serving a hefty 77-month stretch for – you guessed it – being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Federal law clearly prohibits anyone with a felony conviction from owning or possessing guns or ammunition, a rule Jimenez seems determined to ignore.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Ramos didn’t pull punches, detailing Jimenez’s extensive and violent criminal history, which includes narcotics offenses, burglary, and multiple assaults. She made clear that his continued affiliation with the Texas Syndicate, a dangerous prison gang, factored heavily into her decision.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Gang Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Pena skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and ensuring Jimenez faces consequences for his actions. Jimenez remains in custody awaiting transfer to a yet-to-be-determined U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
This case serves as a stark reminder that the ATF and its partners are relentlessly pursuing those who repeatedly break the law and endanger the public. For Jimenez, it’s another 40 months to contemplate his choices – and the fact that federal prison apparently isn’t a deterrent.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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