Jefferson County felon sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for firearms violation

BEAUMONT, Texas –A Groves convicted felon has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Alvaro Montrell Bethea, 46, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on December 11, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on May 10, 2023, law enforcement attempted to perform a traffic stop on Bethea pursuant to an active warrant.  Bethea did not initially pull over and fled while tossing crack cocaine from the vehicle. Bethea was arrested and a search of his home revealed a semi-automatic handgun.  Bethea is a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Port Arthur Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lee.

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