San Antonio Area Convicted Felon Detained Pending Trial On Federal Firearm Possession Charge

In San Antonio, 65-year-old Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez of Spring Branch, TX, will remain in federal custody pending trial for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Melvin D. King, Houston Division.

A federal criminal complaint filed last week alleges that during a gun show in Austin on August 18, 2013, Rodriguez was in possession of an Intratec AB-10 9mm pistol which he later sold to an undercover officer for $650.00.  The complaint further states that Rodriguez served 47 months in federal prison based on a 2002 conviction in the Central District of California for possession of a machine gun and dealing firearms without a ATF license.

Based upon the criminal complaint, ATF agents on Friday arrested Rodriguez and executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence where they seized a total of 76 firearms and approximately $15,000 in U.S. Currency.  The seized firearms included numerous AR-15 and AK-47 assault rifles.

This afternoon, United States Magistrate Judge John Primomo ordered Rodriguez held without bond.  Rodriguez faces ten years in federal prison upon conviction.

This continuing investigation is being conducted by ATF special agents in Austin and San Antonio together with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents.  Assistant United States Attorney Jay Hulings is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.   

A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.