A 49-year-old Mexican national living illegally in Houston has been sentenced to 94 months in federal prison for the armed robbery of a local taco truck, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Moises Arvizo Del Carmen pleaded guilty on May 27. Following his imprisonment, he is expected to face removal proceedings as he is not a U.S. citizen.
The incident occurred on September 12, 2023, when Del Carmen entered the taco truck through its customer window and demanded cash from the register while threatening employees with a firearm. He exited through the same window and fled the scene. Surveillance footage captured him entering a Hummer with distinctive purple flames, which helped witnesses provide authorities with descriptions of both Del Carmen and his vehicle.
About three weeks after the robbery, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Del Carmen’s residence where they found clothing matching that seen during the crime as well as a firearm.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Houston Police Department investigated the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith prosecuted Del Carmen as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). The program coordinates efforts between various levels of law enforcement and community organizations to reduce violent crime and gun violence across neighborhoods. "On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results," according to information released by authorities.
