Leonel Avalos-Santoyo, Firearm Smuggling, Texas 2023

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Table of Contents

Firearm Smuggling Ring Cracked in South Texas

A 50-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison for smuggling goods from the United States and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.

Leonel Avalos-Santoyo, a Houston resident, pleaded guilty on June 6 to smuggling goods and making a false statement during a gun purchase. The crime dates back to April 25, 2020, when Avalos-Santoyo was stopped at the Lincoln Juarez Bridge in Laredo, Texas. Customs and Border Protection officials discovered five firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories in his luggage.

A further investigation revealed that between September 21, 2019, and November 5, 2020, Avalos-Santoyo purchased 41 firearms at three federal firearms dealers in Harris County, Texas. During each transaction, he falsely claimed he was the actual buyer.

Avalos-Santoyo was released on bond but will now serve a 46-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Bowling prosecuted the case. The defendant has been previously released on bond and will voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility in the near future.

Avalos-Santoyo’s crime is a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of firearm smuggling in the United States. As law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on these crimes, it is essential that individuals understand the consequences of making false statements during gun purchases.

With this conviction, the community can feel safer knowing that those who engage in firearm smuggling will be held accountable for their actions.