A Crystal City man, Mario Zavala, 39, has been sentenced to 180 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing took place in a federal court in Del Rio, Texas, marking a significant blow to the Texas Mexican Mafia.
According to court documents, Zavala was convicted for organized criminal activity with the Texas Mexican Mafia in August 2013. On Nov. 6, 2024, he was arrested on a warrant and admitted to possessing a loaded .40 caliber pistol in his residence. This arrest was a result of an investigation that revealed Zavala had maintained his ties to the Texas Mexican Mafia and continued to distribute narcotics—namely cocaine and methamphetamine.
The investigation, led by ICE, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Zavala County Sheriff’s Office, uncovered the extent of Zavala’s involvement in organized crime. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Ellis-Dotson, with U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas making the announcement.
Zavala was indicted for one count of felon in possession of a firearm on Dec. 4, 2024, and he pleaded guilty on March 5, 2025. U.S. District Judge Ernest Gonzalez presided over the court proceedings, ultimately handing down the 15-year sentence.
The sentencing of Mario Zavala serves as a reminder of the severity of punishments for those involved in organized crime and firearm possession. The Texas Mexican Mafia has been a target of federal authorities for years, and this conviction marks a significant step forward in disrupting their operations.
The case against Zavala highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime. The collaborative effort between ICE, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Zavala County Sheriff’s Office demonstrates the commitment to bringing criminals to justice and making communities safer.
In the ongoing fight against organized crime, the sentencing of Mario Zavala to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm sends a clear message: involvement in such activities will not be tolerated. As law enforcement continues to target these groups, it is expected that more convictions and sentences will follow, further dismantling the networks of organized crime in the region.
RELATED: Mario Zavala Sentenced
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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