Undocumented Alien Charged with Firearms Violation

McALLEN, Texas – A 45-year-old illegal alien from Mexico has been indicted on charges he illegally possessed firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Luis Vasquez-Garcia, illegally residing in Alamo, was originally charged by criminal complaint March 29, 2019, and was later remanded to custody pending further criminal proceedings. Today, a federal grand jury returned the one-count indictment. He is expected to make an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter E. Ormsby in the near future. 

The indictment alleges Vasquez-Garcia shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce or possessed in affecting commerce one Smith and Wesson MOD-66-2 .357 caliber pistol and 69 rounds of ammunition.

According to the complaint, Vasquez-Garcia had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Alamo for a violent crime. He was located in his vehicle outside a residence in Alamo, at which time officers observed Vasquez-Garcia with the firearm and ammunition with him. The firearm was loaded.

If convicted, Vasquez-Garcia faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Alamo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Belt and Andrew Henning are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.