Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
Two men are headed to federal prison for firearms trafficking and related charges, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Juan Antonio Cantu-Cavazos, a 37-year-old Mexican national, admitted guilt in October 2023 for firearms trafficking and possession of a firearm as an alien. Jose Luis Caballero, 30, from Alamo, confessed in September 2024 to firearms trafficking and illegal exportation of firearms.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has sentenced Cantu-Cavazos and Caballero each to a 48-month-term of imprisonment. Caballero will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term. Expecting removal proceedings after his sentence, Cantu-Cavazos, not a U.S. citizen, was noted by the court for the significant number of weapons involved, including obliteration of serial numbers prior to exportation. Judge Crane highlighted the scheme's dangerousness and complexity.
The investigation found that in September 2022, Cantu-Cavazos purchased 32 firearms, 15 of which were AK-47s and three were AR-15 variant rifles. Working with Caballero, Cantu-Cavazos acquired firearms requested by a Mexican co-conspirator. He retrieved firearms from different purchasers, disassembled and wrapped them in cellophane before delivering them for trafficking into Mexico. Caballero purchased firearms across various states, such as Alabama and Texas, coordinating their exportation.
Between October 2021 and September 2022, Cantu-Cavazos and Caballero purchased over 150 firearms, mostly high-caliber rifles, and trafficked them to Mexico. Cantu-Cavazos remains in custody awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility, while Caballero is on bond, permitted to voluntarily surrender later.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation with support from Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Fry prosecuted the case following the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, enacted by Congress in June 2022, the first federal statute targeting unlawful trafficking and straw purchasing of firearms.
