Jose Ramon Castillo-Lopez, Possessing a Firearm Illegally, Texas 2023

SEMINOLE, TX – A brazen attack on a Seminole police officer has landed Jose Ramon Castillo-Lopez, 28, in federal prison for 15 years. Castillo-Lopez, a Mexican national confirmed to be in the United States illegally, was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) for illegally possessing a firearm after a shocking shooting last October.

The incident unfolded on October 1, 2022, when the Seminole Police Department officer pulled over Castillo-Lopez for unspecified traffic violations. As the officer approached the vehicle, Castillo-Lopez allegedly opened fire with a handgun. Miraculously, the officer’s body armor prevented what could have been fatal injuries. The officer, demonstrating quick thinking under fire, returned fire and moved to a defensive position.

Castillo-Lopez didn’t wait to see how the exchange would play out. He exited the vehicle and fled the scene, discarding a 9mm semi-automatic pistol as he ran. The officer immediately radioed a description, and Castillo-Lopez was apprehended just blocks away. The quick response prevented further escalation and ensured the suspect was taken into custody.

During questioning by law enforcement, Castillo-Lopez admitted to prior deportation and his current illegal status in the country. He also confessed to firing the weapon, revealing he’d purchased it for a mere $200 from an unidentified individual at a traffic light in Midland, Texas. This highlights the dangerous ease with which illegally obtained firearms are circulating and falling into the hands of those who would use them to harm others.

The investigation, a collaborative effort between Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Office, the Seminole Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division, quickly established the facts of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew McLeod successfully prosecuted Castillo-Lopez, securing the 180-month sentence. The wounded officer, thankfully, recovered and returned to duty shortly after the incident.

While this sentencing brings a measure of justice for the officer involved, it underscores the ongoing challenges posed by illegal immigration and the flow of illegal firearms across the border. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases like these, exposing the underbelly of crime and holding offenders accountable for their actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement every day.

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