A high-caliber firearms trafficking ring operating in Texas has been dismantled, with two men sentenced to federal prison for their involvement.
On October 2023, Mexican national Juan Antonio Cantu-Cavazos, 37, pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking and being an alien in possession of a firearm in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, McAllen Division. His co-defendant, Jose Luis Caballero, 30, of Alamo, Texas, admitted his guilt to firearms trafficking and illegal exportation of firearms on September 2024.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Cantu-Cavazos and Caballero each to 48 months in federal prison, with Caballero ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. Cantu-Cavazos, not a U.S. citizen, will face removal proceedings following his sentence.
The investigation revealed that Cantu-Cavazos was purchasing firearms as part of a firearms trafficking ring, working with Caballero to acquire firearms requested by a Mexican co-conspirator. The firearms were then trafficked into Mexico.
The two men purchased more than 150 firearms between October 2021 and September 2022, with most being high-caliber rifles. In September 2022, Cantu-Cavazos purchased 32 firearms, including 15 AK-47s and three AR-15 variant rifles.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Fry prosecuted the case under the critical provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, enacted by Congress in June 2022.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
