An indictment has been issued against a Mexican citizen for federal firearm felonies in Texas. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas, Manuel Najera-Garcia, an illegal alien, was charged with illegal possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien and by a convicted felon.
Najera-Garcia, after a previous felony conviction in 2012 and subsequent deportation, allegedly re-entered the United States, and on December 22, 2024, he was found in possession of a .38-caliber revolver. Following his initial appearance in court yesterday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford ordered Najera-Garcia detained. The presentation of an indictment signals only an accusation of criminal behavior, not evidence, with the accused presumed innocent until proven otherwise. If convicted, each count against Najera-Garcia could lead to a maximum of 15 years in federal prison.
The investigation into this matter was a cooperative effort between the Dallas Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Hocter is currently prosecuting the case.
This case falls under the umbrella of Operation Take Back America, a DOJ initiative purposed to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and shield communities from violent crime. Najera-Garcia's charges highlight the increased focus and collaborated deployment of resources by Operation Take Back America, which employs tactics from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
For more information regarding the case or inquiries about the ongoing initiative, individuals can contact the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas through their email address, [email protected].
