Houston Republic

A 22-year-old man from McAllen, Texas, has been sentenced for illegally purchasing firearms on behalf of a Mexican national, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Juan Hector Resendez-Meza III pleaded guilty on May 31. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Resendez-Meza to serve 24 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

At the time of his plea, Resendez-Meza admitted that a man residing in Reynosa, Mexico, approached him and asked him to purchase firearms on his behalf. Between May and August 2023, Resendez-Meza received $16,000 in cash to do so. He lied on federal forms during each purchase, claiming he was the true buyer.

Resendez-Meza also admitted to illegally procuring three rifles for the Mexican citizen, including a .50 caliber rifle. Additionally, he had previously bought and sold two pistols to the man.

Previously released on bond, Resendez was taken into custody following the sentencing and will remain there pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan prosecuted the case.

This case is part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through evidence-based strategies. PSN focuses enforcement efforts on violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.