Press Release
Foreign citizen imprisoned on weapon charge
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 34-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions of illegal re-entry and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Gabriel Rangel-Castro pleaded guilty Nov. 22, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Rangel-Castro to serve 57 seven months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court noted he had prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance, assault causing bodily injury on a family member and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. In handing down the sentence, Judge Ramos cited his multiple convictions, each involving the use of a firearm while unlawfully present in the United States. Judge Ramos also referenced the extensive number of times Rangel-Castro has been removed from the United States.
On Sep. 20, 2021, law enforcement observed Rangel-Castro wearing a tactical fanny pack and carrying a knife while walking through a bush near Falfurrias. Authorities approached Rangel-Castro, at which time they found an HS Produkt Springfield Armory USA Pistol and nine rounds of .40 caliber ammunition in a magazine.
Rangel-Castro was twice previously removed from the United States as recently as June 2021. Due to his citizenship status and criminal record, Rangel-Castro is prohibited by federal law of possessing any firearm or ammunition.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour prosecuted the case.
Updated March 2, 2022
Topics
Firearms Offenses
Immigration
Component