Brownsville, TX – A high-ranking member of the Gulf Cartel is headed to prison for seven years, after being convicted of alien smuggling and firearm charges. 44-year-old Jose Luis Zuniga-Hernandez, also known as El Wicho, Comandante Wicho, or XW, pleaded guilty to being an alien found within the United States after deportation and being an alien in possession of a firearm on January 8, 2013.
U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen handed Zuniga-Hernandez a total term of 84 months in prison, citing his prior criminal history, possession of a loaded handgun, 3.7 grams of cocaine, and almost $40,000 in cash at the time of his arrest. The sentence also took into account the defendant’s previous conviction for possessing with intent to distribute more than a ton of marijuana in 1990.
Testimony presented during the hearing revealed that Zuniga-Hernandez was a high-ranking member of the Gulf Cartel, responsible for the Rio Bravo and Matamoros plazas at different times prior to his arrest. The defendant also paid $57,000 for a diamond, gold, and ruby-encrusted 38 super handgun.
Zuniga-Hernandez’s sentence includes upward adjustments due to his possession of the firearm in connection with another felony offense. He was further ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.
In handing down the sentence, Judge Hanen stated that the crime committed represented a serious threat to the well-being of the citizens of South Texas. Zuniga-Hernandez has been in jail since his arrest on October 26, 2011, and will remain there pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Castro handling the case. Zuniga-Hernandez’s guilty plea and subsequent sentence serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by transnational organized crime groups and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their crimes.
As the Grimy Times continues to investigate and expose the inner workings of these groups, we remain committed to shedding light on the complex issues surrounding border security, immigration, and organized crime.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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