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Two Brothers Sentenced to Federal Prison for Gun Possession in Texas

Mexican citizens Isaac and Fernando Valencia-Espinosa were sentenced in the Eastern District of Texas following a November 2025 encounter in the Sabine National Forest.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 20, 2026, 8:47 a.m. ET
According to official court records from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas, two brothers have been to federal prison for illegal firearm possession. Isaac Valencia-Espinosa, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and was to 15 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on August 7, 2026. His brother, Fernando Valencia-Espinosa, 30, was by Judge Crone to 15 months in federal prison on August 4, 2026, for the same violation. Court records state that in November 2025, law enforcement officers conducting enforcement actions in the Sabine National Forest encountered a vehicle occupied by both men. The brothers provided Arkansas drivers licenses and claimed to be United States citizens, but Department of Homeland Security personnel determined the licenses were fraudulent. Authorities ascertained that both men are citizens of Mexico illegally present in the United States and recovered two rifles and two handguns during the encounter. The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of Homeland Security, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston. Official records note the prosecution was brought under Project Safe Neighborhoods and Operation Take Back America.

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  1. Version 120 Aug 2026, 12:47current

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