A North Texas man has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for attempting to export firearms, firearm magazines and thousands of rounds of ammunition to Mexico.
Jose Rafael Vasquez, 64, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced Dec. 15 by U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana to 63 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a three-year term of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional information, including the fact that the firearms bore decorative handles and were quite expensive, which criminal organizations highly prized in Mexico. Judge Saldana noted Vasquez had also previously purchased a semi-automatic rifle in Garland, Texas in 2017 which was later found in Durango, Mexico, after a shootout between Mexican law enforcement and armed criminal groups. Authorities directly traced the rifle to Vasquez as the last known legal purchaser. Vasquez was convicted July 1 after a two-day jury trial.
According to court documents, on Oct. 15, 2020, Vasquez attempted to exit the United States into Mexico through the Laredo Port of Entry. During initial inspection, CBP discovered suspicious bundles zip-tied to the undercarriage of the vehicle. They appeared to contain ammunition. Further inspection revealed three AK-47 rifles, eight semi-automatic handguns of various calibers, 16 handgun magazines and approximately 4,714 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition hidden inside his vehicle.
The defense attempted to convince the jury Vasquez did not know about the items inside the vehicle. They did not believe his claims and found him guilty as charged.
Vasquez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.