Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A McAllen man, Jaime Garcia, has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The guilty plea follows an incident on January 29, when Garcia attempted to evade authorities during a traffic stop. After halting his vehicle, he attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended. Law enforcement found a Micro-Draco firearm in the backseat of his vehicle during a search.
Further investigations established that Garcia had a prior conviction for burglary of a habitation in 2022. As a felon, federal law prohibits him from possessing firearms. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton will sentence him on July 15. Garcia faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. He remains in custody pending his sentencing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan is prosecuting the case under the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. The PSN initiative aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering community trust, supporting violence-prevention organizations, and setting focused enforcement priorities.
