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Seven Convicted In Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy, Texas 2014
Seven Houston residents have been convicted in a firearms trafficking conspiracy that saw dozens of AK-47 variant rifles smuggled from the Houston area to Mexico, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Robert Elder, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The defendants, Javier Resendez, 29, Abel Lopez, 34, Arturo Garcia, 30, Roberto Santana Mears, 22, Mary Bel Deanda, 39, Martha Gonzales, 41, and Angel Aquino-Pineda, 27, pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. Resendez entered a guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Janice Ellington, while the others pleaded guilty at varying times before U.S. Magistrate Judges Ellington and Jason Libby.
These convictions are examples of ATF’s continuing effort to stop the illegal flow of firearms to the hands of violent offenders, said Elder. ‘This is a continuation of ATF’s Frontline initiative working with our state and local partners in the fight against violent crime.’
In 2013, the Kingsville Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a truck driven by Aquino-Pineda in Kingsville and located 35 AK-47 variant rifles and $26,000 concealed in a false compartment. Seven of the rifles had obliterated serial numbers. Aquino-Pineda admitted his role was to transport the firearms from Houston to McAllen. The firearms would then be transported to Mexico.
ATF agents traced the firearms to Houston purchasers Deanda, Gonzales, and Mears, who admitted they were ‘straw purchasers’ for Resendez. Resendez indicated Garcia recruited him to purchase firearms for Lopez, and that the firearms would be taken to Mexico. Resendez then recruited Deanda and Gonzales to ‘straw purchase’ the firearms on his behalf. Mears admitted he was also a ‘straw purchaser’ for Lopez.
Lopez, Garcia, Deanda, Gonzalez, and Mears are set for sentencing July 11, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos. Judge Ramos will sentence Resendez July 18, 2014. Aquino-Pineda, charged and convicted in a separate, but related indictment, is set for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Hayden Head June 12, 2014.
The defendants face up to five years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 fine. Resendez also pleaded to being a felon in possession of a firearm and Lopez also pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Both will also face an additional 10 years and another possible $250,000 fine for these convictions.
ATF investigated with the assistance of the Kingsville Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hugo R. Martinez and Jeffery D. Preston are prosecuting the case.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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