Twice convicted drug trafficker sent to prison for illegal possession of firearms

McALLEN, Texas – A 46-year-old Pharr resident has been sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Rogelio Rodriguez Jr. pleaded guilty July 10, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now handed Rodriguez an enhanced sentence of 96 months after determining he possessed numerous firearms in connection with another felony offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His sentence will be immediately followed by a two-year-term of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard Rodriguez had a pattern of illegally possessing firearms in connection with drug trafficking.

On Jan. 12, 2024, authorities responded to a call regarding an aggravated assault at Rodriguez’s residence. Law enforcement had information that Rodriguez had refused to leave the property and brandished a firearm after being confronted about carrying firearms.

They conducted a search and discovered three firearms in the residence including a Glock .40 caliber pistol, a Smith & Wesson .38 special revolver and a North American Arms .22 caliber revolver.

The investigation revealed Rodriguez had two prior felony convictions for drug trafficking. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms per federal law.

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

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the McAllen Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.