Source: Office of United States Attorneys
McALLEN, Texas – A 28-year-old Alamo resident has been sentenced for illegally possessing several firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Hector Tellez-Hernandez pleaded guilty Aug. 2, 2024.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Tellez-Hernandez to serve four years in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court considered his affiliation with Partido Revolucionario Mexicano and his criminal history which includes convictions for human smuggling and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the likely use of the weapons to facilitate drug dealing and the danger that poses to the local community.
The investigation began after law enforcement learned about the presence of narcotics in Tellez-Hernandez’s home. On April 5, 2024, they conducted a search of that residence and found two rifles, body armor and 16 grams of cocaine.
Further investigation revealed he was in possession of several more firearms and additional cocaine that appeared packaged for sale.
Tellez-Hernandez admitted to ownership of the firearms. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Alamo Police Department conducted the joint investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Fry prosecuted the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.