Miguel Angel Rodriguez, False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm, Texas 2023

ODESSA, TX – A 21-year-old Odessa man has confessed to a federal crime that put a loaded weapon into the hands of someone who wasn’t legally authorized to own it. Miguel Angel Rodriguez pleaded guilty Monday to one count of false statement during the purchase of a firearm in a Midland federal court. The revelation comes as investigators continue to piece together the events surrounding a recent fatal shooting in the city.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) traced a Ruger firearm recovered near the scene of the deadly shooting back to Rodriguez, who purchased it on May 26th. But this wasn’t an isolated incident. Court documents reveal Rodriguez didn’t buy the gun for himself. He acted as a “straw purchaser,” illegally acquiring at least four firearms for individuals prohibited from owning them.

The ATF’s investigation quickly uncovered a pattern. Rodriguez allegedly misrepresented the true buyer on federal forms, allowing prohibited persons to circumvent background checks and obtain weapons. This practice fuels the black market and directly contributes to gun violence, a source within the ATF told Grimy Times. The agency is now working to identify those who benefitted from Rodriguez’s illegal scheme.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Jeffery C. Boshek II of the ATF Dallas Field Division announced the guilty plea, framing it as a victory in the ongoing fight against illegal firearms trafficking. However, sources say the investigation is far from over, with authorities looking into a potential network of straw purchasers operating in the region.

Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2nd. He faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Mahoney is prosecuting the case, and will likely push for the maximum penalty given the potential consequences of Rodriguez’s actions.

The ATF continues to investigate, attempting to untangle the web of connections surrounding this case. While a guilty plea has been secured, the agency is determined to hold all responsible parties accountable. The recovery of the firearm near a fatal shooting underscores the deadly implications of straw purchasing and the urgent need to disrupt these illegal networks.

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