Richard John Medina, Firearms/Grenades Smuggling, Texas 2013

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Table of Contents

Richard John Medina, 40, Convicted of Smuggling Firearms and Grenades into Mexico

Laredo, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, Richard John Medina, also known as ‘El Guero,’ has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of multiple firearms and grenades. The case, announced by United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson, reveals a disturbing plot to smuggle these deadly items into Mexico for the notorious Zeta Cartel.

On October 9, 2013, Medina was arrested at his Laredo residence in possession of five firearms and five grenades. As part of his plea agreement, Medina confessed to attempting to traffic and export these items from the United States into Mexico, exclusively for the Mexican Zeta Cartel.

Medina was hired to export the weapons for a staggering $2,500. He was to receive half the payment upfront, with the remainder paid upon delivery of the weapons to a Zeta Cartel house in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. On October 9, 2013, Medina received the weapons and was subsequently arrested in the United States.

Investigation revealed that Medina was a convicted felon and did not have permission under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to export these military defense weapons.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana will set a date for sentencing in the near future. At the time of the hearing, Medina will face up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sanjeev Bhasker and Homero Ramirez are prosecuting.

Medina’s guilty plea highlights the ongoing threat of organized crime in our region. The smuggling of firearms and grenades poses a significant risk to public safety and national security.