FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
ANGELA DODGE |
Dec. 14, 2010 |
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER |
(713) 567-9388 |
MCALLEN MAN INDICTED FOR EXPORTING FIREARMS
(McALLEN, Texas) – Rolando Trevino, 23, of McAllen, Texas, has been indicted on charges of exporting firearms from the U.S. to Mexico, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.
On Nov. 23, 2010, local law enforcement officers working alongside federal authorities at the Port of Entry at Hidalgo, Texas, became suspicious of the vehicle being operated by Trevino as he attempted to cross the border into Mexico. In an effort to prevent the crossing of contraband and stolen goods from the United States into Mexico, agents performed a search of his vehicle. Meanwhile, according to allegations in the criminal complaint, Trevino fled on foot across the bridge into Mexico, but was returned by Mexican authorities into the custody of U.S. authorities a short while later. Trevino allegedly concealed various firearms in a converted speaker box within his vehicle in attempt to allow firearms to pass through a federal inspection station without notice.
The indictment accuses Trevino of knowingly attempting to send or export from the U.S. six semi-automatic firearms and 21 high capacity magazines without having first obtained license for such export from the Department of State. The vehicle was intercepted before entering into Mexico and the weapons recovered.
Trevino, who was arrested on Nov. 23, 2010, following the filing of the criminal complaint, is and will remain in federal custody without bond per court order pending trial. It is anticipated that a date for his arraignment on the formal charges alleged in the indictment will be set by the court in the near future.
Smuggling firearms and related items from the United States carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
The charges are the result of the investigative efforts of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cory J. H. Crenshaw is prosecuting the case.
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