A man from McAllen, Texas, has entered a guilty plea for illegal firearm possession, according to an announcement made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The individual, Jaime Garcia, age 31, was arrested after an attempt to elude authorities during a traffic stop on January 29. Following a chase on foot, Garcia was apprehended, and officers discovered a Micro-Draco firearm in the backseat of his vehicle.
Investigators determined Garcia had a previous conviction for burglary of habitation in 2022. As a result of this prior conviction, federal law prohibits him from owning firearms. Garcia will remain in custody until his sentencing, scheduled for July 15, with U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton presiding. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a potential fine of $250,000.
The investigation leading to Garcia's arrest was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. This initiative coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to reduce violent crime and promote community safety. The Department's strategy, announced on May 26, 2021, aims to enhance the PSN by focusing on trust in communities, supporting violence prevention, and prioritizing strategic law enforcement.