Texas Crime Leader Hit With Massive 41-Year Sentence

A federal judge has handed down a 41-year prison sentence to a Mexican national found guilty of selling drugs and machine guns in the border town of Laredo, Texas. Law enforcement claims the man was acting as a “gangster.”

Details of the Laredo Drug and Gun Case

According to KXAN, 34-year-old Carlos Alberto Garcia-Guajardo was found guilty on all 12 counts against him in December. The acting U.S. Attorney, John G.E. Marck, said last week that Garcia-Guajardo's accomplice Fernando Patino Jr., 32, pleaded guilty before going to trial and will now serve 30 years in prison.

What Prosecutors Revealed in Court

Garcia-Guajardo was not in the United States legally and had already been deported before he is expected to face removal proceedings back to Mexico after he completes his time in prison. During the trial, prosecutors showed evidence that Garcia-Guajardo was acting as a broker for drugs and machine guns.

U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle said that Garcia-Guajardo was living the “gangster” lifestyle and while in court there were posters shown of the movie “Scarface” that were hanging in his bedroom.

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Criminal History and Prior Deportations

Garcia-Guajardo was one of the leaders in a criminal enterprise that went as far as firing guns near children and from moving vehicles. Authorities say that since January 2025, he was also known to sell cocaine and firearms from his residence in Laredo, Texas. Garcia-Guajardo had been removed twice from the United States, most recently in July 2024 before returning illegally.

Both Garcia-Guajardo and Patino used children to test various firearms, including machine guns.

Authorities say the arrests prevent further criminal activity.