A Mexican national illegally present in the United States was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for firearms possession in the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs announced on Aug. 4.
Alberto Saenz-DeLaCruz, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone. According to information presented in court, Saenz-DeLaCruz was stopped for a traffic violation in Lufkin on December 8, 2025. During the stop, he provided a Mexican passport as identification but did not have a driver license. A search of his vehicle led to the discovery of a firearm and drug paraphernalia.
Further investigation revealed that Saenz-DeLaCruz was a Mexican citizen who had previously been deported from the United States and did not have permission to return. As such, he is considered a prohibited person under federal law and cannot legally possess firearms in the United States.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), described as “the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe,” played an integral role in this case. The statement continued: “Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges.” The initiative emphasizes rapid response to violent crime offenders; strong partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; accountability; deterrence through prosecution; and complements President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces.
The case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas covers 43 counties with offices located in Beaumont, Lufkin, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana and Tyler; employs about 100 staff members including roughly 50 assistant U.S. attorneys; supports victims through dedicated services; prosecutes federal crimes while delivering civil litigation services as part of its role within the United States Department of Justice, according to the official website.