One Guilty in Violent Crime Spree; Another Remains a Fugitive

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 24-year-old resident of Corpus Christi has been convicted of robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.  

Leonard Reyna entered a guilty plea today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby.

Reyna admitted he participated in an aggravated robbery at the Corpus Christi Trade Center and another at a Stripes convenience store which involved the shooting of an innocent bystander.

On Aug. 26, 2018, Reyna approached a local jewelry store displaying a handgun and demanded several items of jewelry. After that robbery, he fled on foot and headed to the Stripes location on the 6000 block of Ayers. There, two men pointed a gun at a victim and demanded the keys to his truck. The victim refused and was later found inside the store where reported he had been shot in the left arm and stomach.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos will impose sentencing Oct. 17, 2019, at which time, Reyna faces up to 20 years imprisonment for the robbery and another possible 10 years for the felon in possession conviction. He will also receive a minimum seven-year-term for brandishing a firearm which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. All counts also carry the possibility of a $250,000 maximum fine.

Reyna has been and will remain in custody pending his sentencing.

He was originally indicted along with Carlos Moreno, 25, also of Corpus Christi who is charged with being involved in both robberies and with discharging a firearm. He is considered innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law, but remains a fugitive and a warrant remains outstanding for his arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals service at 1-800-336-0102.

The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.