Jose Celby Hernandez, Smuggling Semi-Automatic Firearms, Texas 2024

Brownsville Men Charged with Smuggling Semi-Automatic Firearms to Mexico

Two Brownsville men, Jose Celby Hernandez, 30, and Rene Rangel-Manjarrez, 33, have been charged with smuggling guns from Texas to Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas.

A federal grand jury in Amarillo indicted the defendants on one count each of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States and one count each of smuggling goods from the United States.

According to the indictment, Hernandez allegedly purchased multiple firearms, including .50 caliber Barrett rifles, through private sales, from a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL), and from an ATF undercover agent, for the purpose of exporting the guns to Mexico.

In order to avoid attracting undue suspicion, Hernandez allegedly recruited other individuals, including Rangel-Manjarrez, to purchase firearms on his behalf. The straw purchasers, including Rangel-Manjarrez, allegedly lied on their ATF form 4473s, stating that they were the actual purchasers of the firearms, when they knew they intended to turn the guns over to Hernandez to be exported to Mexico.

Over a two month period, the pair allegedly purchased at least half a dozen .50 caliber Barrett rifles, a weapon of choice for International Firearms Trafficking Organizations. These firearms are highly sought after by organizations like the Gulf Cartel for their ability to penetrate armored vehicles, aircraft, concrete shelters, and bullet-resisting targets.

“These defendants subverted important gun laws and smuggled lethal weapons across our borders,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “This prosecution is a public safety win for communities in the United States and in Mexico.”

The defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in federal prison.

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