Austin Man Smuggles Dozens of Firearms into Mexico through Eagle Pass, Texas, According to Court Records.
A 39-year-old Austin man, Victor Hugo Diego-Avellaneda, was arrested in Eagle Pass on January 19, 2024, in connection with the alleged smuggling of firearms from the United States into Mexico.
According to court documents, Diego-Avellaneda made a negative declaration regarding the possession of weapons, ammunition, and currency when attempting to leave the U.S. and enter Mexico at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. He was subsequently referred to a secondary inspection.
During the inspection, Customs and Border Protection officers allegedly located 40 rifles, six shotguns, one pistol, 80 magazines, and two rifle scopes stored in two large duffel bags. Diego-Avellaneda reportedly claimed that he was being paid approximately $100 for each firearm he smuggled into Mexico and that 11 of the firearms belonged to him.
Diego-Avellaneda has been charged with one count of smuggling goods out of the United States. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement. Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Garland and Katherine Gorski prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Diego-Avellaneda’s current status is pending trial.
Related Federal Cases
- Melvin Yip, Unlicensed Firearms Dealing, Texas 2024 · Texas
- Thomas Glen Smith, Possession or Sale of Stolen Firearms, Texas 2017 · Texas
- Heon Jong Yoo, Making False Statements During Firearms Transactions, Texas 2018 · North Carolina
- Michael Wayne Ben, Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, Texas 2023 · Texas
- Hieu Tran Trung, Firearms Solicitation, Texas 2024 · Arkansas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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