Pedro Cruz Almeida Jr., Smuggling .50 Caliber Ammunition, Texas 2024

State: Texas
Category: Violent Crime
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/pharr-man-pleads-guilty-exporting-50-caliber-ammunition" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

A 21-year-old Pharr resident has been caught red-handed in a smuggling operation involving .50 caliber ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Pedro Cruz Almeida Jr. admitted to attempting to export .50 caliber tracer-equipped linked ammunition without a license to export, a serious offense that could have severe consequences.

According to authorities, Almeida was driving a red Hyundai Elantra when he was stopped by authorities on February 3. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 600 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition.

Further investigation revealed that Almeida had ordered ammunition approximately 30 occasions over the past year, receiving cash in return. He had planned to transfer the ammunition to an individual waiting at the Port of Entry driving a vehicle with a Tamaulipas, Mexico, license plate.

On February 9, agents seized an additional 300 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition postmarked to Almeida, further complicating the case. At the time of his arrest, Almeida was attending a local police academy.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez accepted Almeida’s plea and set sentencing for July 27. At that time, Almeida faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Hidalgo County Constable’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter I. Brostowin is prosecuting the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, aimed at reducing violent crime.

Almeida was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing, a leniency that has raised eyebrows in some quarters.

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