Felon In Possession Handed 15-Year Prison Term

MCALLEN, Texas – A convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition has been handed a significant federal term of imprisonment, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Jose Antelmo Mendez, 49, of Mission, pleaded guilty Feb. 6, 2012. 

Today, Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa sentenced Mendez to a total of 180 months of imprisonment to be followed by a two-year-term of supervised release. His sentence was subject to enhancements for being an armed career criminal as he had been convicted on two previous occasions of delivering of a controlled substance.

On July 5, 2010, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call for assistance in relation to an allegation of domestic abuse. When deputies responded to the Mendez residence, they discovered him in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun and 10 shotgun shells. Mendez was taken into custody and subsequently found to be a convicted felon. 

Previously released on bond, Mendez was taken into custody following a violation of his bond conditions, where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hidalgo County Sherriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Steven Schammel. AUSA Juan Alanis handled the sentencing hearing today.