A 19-year-old resident of Alamo, Texas, has been sentenced to federal prison for using a firearm in connection with drug trafficking activities. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Emiliano Cabriales had previously pleaded guilty on December 5, 2024. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton sentenced Cabriales to a 60-month term of imprisonment, which will be followed by three years of supervised release.
The case against Cabriales began on May 29, 2024, when law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle where he was a passenger. During the search, authorities found a firearm concealed under the seat where Cabriales was sitting.
Further investigation revealed that Cabriales had 14 grams of cocaine hidden inside his pants, packaged in individual baggies. He admitted to possessing the cocaine and stated that he carried the firearm for protection purposes related to his drug activities.
Cabriales remains in custody and is awaiting transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Alamo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.
For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.