Cardenas Jr. Convicted of Firearms Charge and Impersonating US Marshal

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The son of the former Gulf Cartel leader has admitted he illegally possessed a firearm and impersonated a U.S. Marshal, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

On March 14, 2018, authorities responded to the SKY Bar and Lounge in Brownsville in response to reports of an individual within the club brandishing a firearm. That person was identified as Osiel Cardenas Jr., 26. He was found next to his vehicle within the SKY Bar and Lounge parking lot and arrested for public intoxication. At the time of his arrest, Cardenas informed officers he was a U.S. Marshal and asked them to look at his badge. Hanging on his neck, under his shirt, officers located a gold colored Cameron County District Attorney’s badge. Officers also found a Bersa, .380 caliber firearm inside his vehicle which also contained his identification documents and currency.

Witnesses identified Cardenas as the individual inside the nightclub brandishing the firearm. They also identified the firearm recovered from his  vehicle as the firearm they had seen Cardenas brandish within the nightclub. They indicated Cardenas had also displayed a gold colored badge and identified himself as a U.S. Marshal. The witnesses indicated Cardenas ordered patrons to leave the nightclub or they would be arrested for failure to follow his commands.

Cardenas, who has been in custody since his arrest, will remain in custody pending his sentencing hearing, set for Aug. 27, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen. At that time, he faces up to 10 years for the felon in possession of a firearm as well as another three years for impersonating a U.S. Marshal. Both convictions also carry a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Brownsville Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Castro is prosecuting the case.