DOJ: 12 arrested in San Antonio on numerous gun charges

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — The United States Department of Justice is announcing the arrest of twelve people in San Antonio accused of stealing guns from cars.

Some of the suspects are also accused trafficking the weapons, one of which was reported to be a machine gun.

Those facing indictment on charges related to machine gun possession are accused of having conversion devices, sometimes referred to as ‘switches.’ These are devices that can be used to convert a semi-automatic weapon into one that can be fired repeatedly by pulling the trigger.

In a Wednesday release, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas says penalties in the indictments range from up to five years in prison for dealing in firearms without a license, to a maximum of 10 years in prison for the possession charges, and up to 15 years in prison for the firearm trafficking and felon in possession charges.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The list of those indicted is below:

1. Jonathan Adrian Briseno aka “SaTone Slick,” 20
   • One count of firearm trafficking
   • One count of possession of a stolen firearm
   • One count of possession of a machine gun
   • One count of possession of unregistered machine gun
2. Ruben Gonzalez Jr., aka “Roman Hernandez,” 29
   • Two counts of possession of a machine gun
3. Joel Alejandro Martinez aka “Bo Jackson,” 25
   • Three counts of firearm trafficking
   • Three counts of possession of a stolen firearm
4. Margarita Hernandez Martinez, 43
   • Two counts of firearm trafficking
   • One count of possession of a stolen firearm
5. Julio Alejandro Sanchez, 27
   • One count of firearms trafficking
   • One count of dealing in firearms without a license
   • One count of possession of a stolen firearm
6. Arnulfo Javier Maldonado, 21
   • One count of firearm trafficking conspiracy
   • One count of possession of a machine gun
   • One count of dealing in firearms without a license
7. Darius Springs aka “Dee STN,” 21
   • One count of firearm trafficking conspiracy
   • Two counts of possession of a machine gun
   • Two counts of firearms trafficking
   • One count of possession of a stolen firearm
   • One count of dealing in firearms without a license
8. Giovanni Martinez Larios, 18
   • One count of firearm trafficking
   • One count of dealing in firearms without a license
   • Two counts of possession of a stolen firearm
   • Two counts of possession of a machine gun
   • Two counts of unregistered machine gun
9. Jesus Hernandez Jr. aka “Chuy,” 22
   • One count of possession of a machine gun, aiding and abetting
   • One count of possession of unregistered firearm
10. Bernardo Melendez Jr., 25
    • One count of possession of a machine gun, aiding and abetting
11. Joe Randy Cano, 34
    • One count of felon in possession of a firearm
12. Patrick Michael Cuellar, 23
    • One count of possession of unregistered firearm
    • One count of possession of a machine gun

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the case with valuable support from the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Wannarka and Zachary Parsons are prosecuting the case.