A 34-year-old man from McAllen, Texas, has been sentenced to prison for possessing firearms as a felon. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentencing of David Michael Saenz, who pleaded guilty on November 21, 2024.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Saenz to serve 60 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The case stems from a traffic stop on September 11, 2024, when law enforcement detected the smell of marijuana from Saenz's vehicle. During the stop, Saenz admitted to possessing firearms.
A search revealed two handguns in his waistband and two additional firearms in his vehicle. Authorities also discovered methamphetamine and marijuana inside the vehicle. Further investigation showed that Saenz had a previous conviction for aggravated robbery in 2021. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. Saenz also confessed to using one of the firearms for protection while dealing drugs.
Saenz remains in custody awaiting transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Rio Grande City Police Department conducted the joint investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, which is part of the Department of Justice’s efforts to reduce violent crime. PSN focuses on identifying pressing violent crime issues and developing comprehensive solutions with various stakeholders to address them effectively.