Mexican National Sentenced to 16 Months for Firearm Possession in Houston
A 25-year-old Mexican national who overstayed his visa was sentenced to federal prison for unlawful firearm possession, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced on Sept. 8, 2026.
2 reports on this incident · first at Sep 8, 2026, 4:12 p.m. ET
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Earlier reports
Sep 8, 2026, 4:12 p.m. ETFirst report
Mexican National Sentenced to 16 Months for Firearm Possession in Houston
A 25-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Houston has been sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas. Erik Guadalupe Ibarra Venegas pleaded guilty on June 5. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison also imposed a $100 special assessment. As an illegal alien, Venegas is expected to face removal proceedings after his imprisonment.
On Oct. 28, 2025, law enforcement responded to a report of a suspicious man pushing two bicycles and carrying tools in a cul-de-sac. Authorities found Venegas walking in the middle of the road obstructing traffic. During the encounter, Venegas showed an officer a 5.56 caliber pistol on his person. He had no identification and provided a fake name, but fingerprint analysis later confirmed his identity. The investigation revealed Venegas had overstayed his visa and was unlawfully present in the United States, making him prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.
The investigation was conducted by the Hedwig Village Police Department, ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith and AUSA Byron Black prosecuted the case. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative. The sentencing was announced on Sept. 8, 2026.
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- Version 18 Sept 2026, 20:22current
First published.
- Version 18 Sept 2026, 20:12current
First published.
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