Two-time felon convicted of carrying a firearm contrary to federal law

LAREDO, Texas – A 35-year-old Laredo man has admitted to illegally possessing a loaded 9-millimeter handgun, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

On Dec. 8, 2023, Bruce James Lyles arrived at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint on IH-35 just north of Laredo. At that time, a K-9 alerted to his van. Upon further inspection, authorities discovered a 9-millimeter pistol with a magazine loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition in Lyles’ backpack.

Lyles admitted he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms, that the weapon had been purchased at a pawn shop in Anchorage, Alaska, and had placed the pistol in his backpack.

Lyles had been convicted for two felony convictions in Minnesota – for robbery and for second-degree assault – which resulted in prison sentences of 23 and 30 months, respectively. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law. 

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña will impose sentencing at a later date. At that hearing, Lyles faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

He will remain in custody pending sentencing which will be set at a later date.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance BP.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez is prosecuting the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.