In South Texas, a 27-year-old man from Alamo has entered a guilty plea for the illegal possession of firearms. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas released an announcement detailing that Hector Tellez-Hernandez, previously convicted of alien smuggling, was found to be in possession of two rifles -- a direct violation of federal law prohibiting felons from owning firearms or ammunition. This admission came after law enforcement officials conducted a search of his residence on April 5 and uncovered not just the weapons but also 16 grams of cocaine and body armor.
According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani, the search that led to Tellez-Hernandez's capture was initiated upon a tip-off that narcotics might be found in his home. The investigation was jointly carried out by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Alamo Police Department. The suspect now faces up to 15 years in federal prison, along with a possible fine that could run as high as $250,000.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane is scheduled to sentence Tellez-Hernandez on October 16. Until this notice, Tellez-Hernandez will remain in custody. The charges and the upcoming sentencing are a part of the broader Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program push to tackle violent crime, primarily gun violence. In May 2021, this initiative was revitalized by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, aiming to foster community trust, support violence prevention organizations, and ensure focused law enforcement.
The case against Tellez-Hernandez is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan. The PSN program, which has been around for nearly two decades, was recently adjusted to better fit a comprehensive strategy for reducing violent crime, emphasizing the need to not only increase arrests or prosecutions but to actually reduce violent crime.
