VICTORIA, TEXAS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Texas, Southern), published as received.

VICTORIA, Texas – A Rio Grande City man and ranking member of the Texas Chicano Brotherhood (TxCB) organization has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Hector Guerra pleaded guilty May 3.

Today, U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey ordered him to serve a 120-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rainey noted how Guerra changed during the prosecution in that he earnestly appeared to be accepting responsibility for his criminal actions.   

The TxCB is a violent criminal organization operating primarily in Starr County and Hidalgo Counties. Members have been involved in numerous crimes to include drug, firearm and human trafficking; kidnappings; home invasions; aggravated assaults; murders and other major crimes.

In May 2016, law enforcement at federal, state and local levels launched a multi-agency investigation in an effort to disrupt the organization’s violent acts. To date, 15 members and criminal associates have been charged.

Authorities identified Guerra and at least four other TxCB members as part of a “rip crew.” At times, they used force and intimidation to steal marijuana and re-sold it to other traffickers in the Rio Grande Valley area. The investigation involved the trafficking and distribution of at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana between February 2017 and February 2018.

Law enforcement arrested Guerra at his home in October 2018 for his role in the conspiracy. At that time, they also executed a search warrant which led to the discovery of a .45 caliber pistol in his bedroom with approximately 123 rounds of ammunition.

Guerra will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations; Texas Department of Public Safety; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; District Attorney’s Offices in Starr and Hidalgo Counties; and the Texas Attorney General’s Office conducted the joint investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patti Hubert Booth prosecuted the case.