U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani | U.S. Department of Justice
A Laredo resident has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Fernando Perez, 41, pleaded guilty on July 9 and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo to serve 71 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
The case originated on June 12, 2019, during an investigation into illegal firearms trafficking in Webb County. Authorities identified Perez as the person illegally selling semi-automatic rifles in Laredo. The investigation uncovered that Perez sold a Stag Arms model Stag 15, 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifle for $2,000 in broad daylight.
At the time of this sale, Perez had a prior felony conviction from 2012 for being a felon in possession of a firearm, which prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Perez will remain in custody until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation with help from the Laredo Police Department and Webb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francisco J. Rodriguez and Andrew Hakala-Finch prosecuted the case.
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