Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Corpus Christi man, Jaime Eduardo Cano, aged 43, has received a federal prison sentence for orchestrating the fraudulent purchase of 40 firearms, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Cano admitted guilt on June 27, 2024, to making false or fictitious statements to a licensed firearms dealer.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Cano to 24 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. During the hearing, additional evidence was presented showing that Cano instructed his employee to illicitly buy firearms. The court noted that Cano could have legally purchased the firearms but chose not to, suggesting he knew they would be illegally disposed of.
The investigation disclosed that between May 6, 2021, and June 10, 2022, Norma Andrade acquired 40 guns from a local dealer under Cano’s instructions. On June 10, 2022, authorities conducted surveillance and observed Andrade pick up an order of 10 pistols, which she then delivered to Cano’s business. Cano was recorded receiving the firearms outside his premises.
Text messages found on Cano’s phone indicated his involvement in the firearms sale directed by Andrade, along with instructions to falsify purchase forms. Additional messages revealed discussions between Cano and another individual about the payment for the firearms and the timing of their exchange.
Law enforcement, as part of their investigation, discovered three of the firearms arranged by Cano in Acapulco, Mexico. Andrade, aged 56, also confessed and was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Cano has been allowed to remain on bond and is to voluntarily surrender to a designated Federal Bureau of Prisons facility soon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation, with the case prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley Martin and John Marck.
