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Defendant Pleads Guilty to Alien Smuggling and Firearms Charges
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Jose Luis Zuniga-Hernandez, 44, of Control, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been convicted of being an alien found within the United States after deportation and being an alien in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson today.
Zuniga-Hernandez, also known as ‘El Wicho’, was previously convicted in January 2012, but was later permitted to withdraw that plea. He has been in jail since his arrest on October 26, 2011, where he will remain pending his sentencing hearing, which U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen has set for January 24, 2013.
At the time of his arrest, Zuniga-Hernandez admitted that he had entered the United States illegally after he had been previously deported from the United States on August 8, 1997. Prior to his deportation, Zuniga had been convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana on February 14, 1990.
Zuniga also admitted that at the time of his arrest he was in possession of a customized gold, diamond and ruby encrusted Colt 38 Super handgun. He faces up to 20 years in prison for being found in the United States after deportation conviction, in addition to a 10-year-term for being an alien in possession of a firearm.
Each of these two convictions also carries a maximum fine of $250,000. The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Castro.
Zuniga-Hernandez’s guilty plea marks another chapter in a long history of crime for the 44-year-old defendant. His sentencing hearing is set for January 24, 2013, and he will remain in jail until then.
As the Grimy Times continues to investigate and report on cases like Zuniga-Hernandez, we remind our readers that the safety of our communities depends on the swift and just prosecution of crimes. We will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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