A Laredo local has found himself in the crosshairs of the law after being indicted on federal charges of possessing a machine gun, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, the indictment slaps 27-year-old Francisco Isaias Rodriguez with a serious accusation that may lead to an arraignment soon.
The press release states the events unfolded on March 12 when Rodriguez bailed from his truck to dodge a traffic stop, setting off a foot pursuit during which Rodriguez allegedly chucked a bag over a fence while resisting and defying officers' orders— and this isn't your everyday duffle. The bag contained a Glock 9mm with a conversion device, known among the gun-savvy as a "switch," transforming the pistol into an automatic threat, add to that an extended mag loaded with 40 rounds, you've got a recipe for trouble.
Rodriguez could be staring down the barrel of up to a decade in federal prison and might be lighter in the wallet by up to $250,000 if he's convicted, but the stakes are high and the machines of justice slow—it's worth remembering that an indictment is not a conviction, and Rodriguez is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
It’s an OCDETF investigation, which stands for Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, known for tackling serious criminal rackets with a multidisciplinary approach, so it's clear the authorities are keen to clamp down on any hint of organized malfeasance; as for the case, the ATF and Laredo Police took the reins on the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew has the prosecution baton in hand — according to the Department of Justice’s website.
