Leigha Simonton, United States Attorney, Northern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas
A man from Fort Worth was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for possessing an illegal machinegun, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad E. Meacham. Brennan Trainor Rodriguez, aged 33, had previously been indicted in October 2024 and subsequently pled guilty to the charge in December 2024. The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor on April 4, 2025.
Court records show that Rodriguez had initially faced charges on June 7, 2013, for injecting heroin into a 21-year-old man, leading to the latter's fatal overdose. Rodriguez admitted to causing the death and was consequently placed on ten years of deferred adjudication starting November 26, 2014. Under the terms of this community supervision, Rodriguez was prohibited from possessing firearms.
The situation came under scrutiny after law enforcement responded to a call regarding a domestic disturbance on August 6, 2024. The call was made by Rodriguez's former girlfriend, who accused him of stalking and harassment following their breakup. She also reported his frequent use of firearms, including one that was fully automatic.
Following an arrest for stalking, a search of Rodriguez's residence led to the discovery of nine firearms. Among them was a Smith & Wesson rifle, fitted with a conversion device to function as a machinegun. The device is often referred to as a “switch” or “auto sear.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ Dallas Field Division – Fort Worth Resident Agency, as well as the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen was responsible for prosecuting the case.
