DEL RIO, TEXAS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.
DEL RIO, Texas – A Del Rio man pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms.
According to court documents, Mark Anthony Jimenez aka M-Thang, 23, obtained a pistol attached with a machine gun conversion device, also known as a switch. The switch is designed to convert a semi-automatic weapon into a weapon that can be fired as a fully automatic weapon by a single function of the trigger. Jimenez then purchased two boxes of 9mm ammunition in Del Rio.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives discovered videos Jimenez had shared on Facebook depicting himself, a juvenile, and codefendant Alleena Nikole Soto, 20, of Del Rio, firing rounds from the pistol with the switch attached, in fully automatic mode. Jimenez knew that it was unlawful to possess a machine gun conversion device, and that it was unlawful for Soto to possess firearms because she was a convicted felon.
ATF canvassed the property where Jimenez was seen firing the automatic pistol and recovered multiple 9mm shell casings consistent with the ammunition that he purchased.
Jimenez faces up to 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Soto remains in custody awaiting further proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The ATF is investigating the case with support from the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office, the Del Rio Police Department, and Val Verde County Adult Probation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayvee Rhoda is prosecuting the case.
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