A member of the Westside gang, Jamez Aaron Sandoval, has been sentenced for possessing destructive devices and using a firearm in drug trafficking activities. U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced that Sandoval, 26, from San Juan, pleaded guilty on September 19.
U.S. Chief District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Sandoval to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. During the hearing, it was revealed that Sandoval attempted to make a homemade grenade and carried a firearm during a grenade transaction. He also recorded himself firing fully automatic weapons. Judge Crane highlighted Sandoval's promotion of violence through social media posts showing an individual firing a machinegun conversion device at law enforcement.
Sandoval was arrested on August 1 after purchasing two grenade-style destructive devices from an undercover ATF agent. A search of his residence uncovered cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and firearms. Before attempting to buy grenades, Sandoval had sold machinegun conversion devices to law enforcement.
Further investigation showed that Sandoval used a firearm found at his residence for protection during drug trafficking activities. He remains in custody awaiting transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives collaborated with the Texas Department of Public Safety and Alamo Police Department on the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced efforts to reduce violent crime as part of PSN's strategy focused on trust-building in communities and strategic enforcement priorities aimed at reducing violent crime rather than increasing arrests or prosecutions.