12 Arrested in San Antonio for Alleged Possession and Trafficking of Stolen Firearms, Machinegun Conversion Devices

SAN ANTONIO – 12 individuals were arrested Tuesday in San Antonio on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in trafficking firearms stolen from vehicles in and around San Antonio.

The following defendants were indicted in a federal court in San Antonio for various charges that include firearm trafficking, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a machine gun.

Jonathan Adrian Briseno aka “SaTone Slick,” 20

• One count of firearm trafficking
• One count of possession of a stolen firearm
• One count of possession of a machine gun
• One count of possession of unregistered machine gun

Ruben Gonzalez Jr., aka “Roman Hernandez,” 29

• Two counts of possession of a machine gun

Joel Alejandro Martinez aka “Bo Jackson,” 25

• Three counts of firearm trafficking
• Three counts of possession of a stolen firearm

Margarita Hernandez Martinez, 43

• Two counts of firearm trafficking
• One count of possession of a stolen firearm

Julio Alejandro Sanchez, 27

• One count of firearms trafficking
• One count of dealing in firearms without a license
• One count of possession of a stolen firearm

Arnulfo Javier Maldonado, 21

• One count of firearm trafficking conspiracy
• One count of possession of a machine gun
• One count of dealing in firearms without a license

Darius Springs aka “Dee STN,” 21

• One count of firearm trafficking conspiracy
• Two counts of possession of a machine gun
• Two counts of firearms trafficking
• One count of possession of a stolen firearm
• One count of dealing in firearms without a license

Giovanni Martinez Larios, 18

• One count of firearm trafficking
• One count of dealing in firearms without a license
• Two counts of possession of a stolen firearm
• Two counts of possession of a machine gun
• Two counts of unregistered machine gun

Jesus Hernandez Jr. aka “Chuy,” 22

• One count of possession of a machine gun, aiding and abetting
• One count of possession of unregistered firearm

Bernardo Melendez Jr., 25

• One count of possession of a machine gun, aiding and abetting

Joe Randy Cano, 34

• One count of felon in possession of a firearm

Patrick Michael Cuellar, 23

• One count of possession of unregistered firearm
• One count of possession of a machine gun

Defendants indicted on charges related to machine gun possession allegedly possessed machinegun conversion devices, commonly referred to as “switches” or “auto sears,” which are designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in converting a semi-automatic weapon into a weapon that can be fired as a fully automatic weapon by a single function of the trigger.

Penalties in the indictments range from up to five years in prison for dealing in firearms without a license, to a maximum of 10 years in prison for the possession charges, and up to 15 years in prison for the firearm trafficking and felon in possession charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the case with valuable support from the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Wannarka and Zachary Parsons are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###