A McKinney resident, Joe Anthony Plascencia, has been sentenced to 137 months in federal prison for firearms violations. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas.
Plascencia, age 32, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III handed down the sentence on August 14, 2025.
Court records indicate that law enforcement responded to a 911 call from a business in Plano. Upon arrival, officers discovered several firearms—including a pistol and hunting rifle—as well as ammunition, body armor, and a large camouflage bag. Further investigation confirmed that Plascencia was previously convicted of a felony and therefore prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The case is connected to Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice designed to combat illegal immigration and violent crime through coordinated efforts with Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The Plano Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana A. Oliver prosecuted.
"Joe Anthony Plascencia, 32, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and was sentenced to 137 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III, on August 14, 2025."
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
