A Houston man has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison for his involvement in a violent crime spree in the Eastern District of Texas, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Victor Guardado Zepeda, 43, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, conspiracy to carry a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III sentenced Zepeda to 231 months in federal prison on August 26, 2025.
Court documents showed that Zepeda led others in robbing two convenience stores located in Denton and Lewisville. The group stole over $100,000 during the incidents. During the robberies, firearms were displayed and an employee was forced at gunpoint to kneel while another employee was severely beaten by members of the group.
The case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation involved cooperation between the FBI, Denton Police Department, and Lewisville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana A. Oliver prosecuted the case.
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