Career criminal sentenced to 15 years for illegal possession of firearm

HOUSTON – A 48-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison for possessing a firearm after being previously convicted of three serious drug felonies, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Jaime Pena pleaded guilty Aug. 26.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner has now ordered Pena to serve 180 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a four-year term of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Pena had a lengthy criminal history and committed this crime while out on parole for a previous drug conviction in Harris County. 

On March 15, 2024, authorities responded to a shooting in progress at a local residence. They learned Pena had fired a gun outside his home during an altercation with Nickie Mendell, who also lived at the location.

Law enforcement conducted a protective sweep and executed a search warrant, discovering approximately 33 pounds of marijuana, scales, narcotics bags and approximately $67,000.    

The investigation determined that one of the firearms recovered inside the home was the same one Pena had discharged outside of the residence. A National Integrated Ballistic Information Network lead matched a shell cartridge located in the driveway to the same firearm inside the residence.

As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms per federal law.

Pena will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Mendell, 52, Houston, has also pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing Dec. 4.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Houston Police Department conducted the investigation.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.