United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

ABILENE, TEXAS, MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT
TO FEDERAL GUN CHARGE

LUBBOCK, Texas — Fernando Jose Rodriguez, of Abilene, Texas, pled guilty in Lubbock before U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to a superseding information charging felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Rodriguez, 35, faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison. Judge Cummings ordered a pre-sentence investigation with sentencing to be scheduled after that investigation is completed.

According to documents filed in Court, on January 11, 2008, officers with the Abilene Police Department attempted to stop Rodriguez for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. After a pursuit, Rodriguez eventually stopped his vehicle. Following his arrest for evading arrest in a vehicle, officers discovered a loaded .45 caliber semiautomatic pistols, .5 grams of cocaine, two marijuana cigarettes and a glass pipe. Rodriguez admitted that the gun was for protection in doing his “business.” Rodriguez also admitted being a member of the Texas Syndicate prison gang since 1991.

Rodriguez had been convicted in 1990 in Dallas County for the aggravated sexual assault of a child and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Abilene Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody L. Skipper.

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