A “shots fired” call has led to the conviction of a 27-year-old San Benito on a federal gun charge.
Marco Antonio Moreno pleaded guilty Monday to receiving a firearm/ammunition while under felony indictment, court records reflect.
Moreno appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignancio Torteya III who accepted his guilty plea. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 15 before U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. He faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible fine of up to $250,000.
He will remain in federal custody until his sentencing.
Moreno unlawfully possessed four semiautomatic rifles and five pistols while under felony indictment, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas stated in a media release.
According to the release, on May 8, 2021, law enforcement responded to reports of shots fired at a residence located in San Benito. Upon arrival, they encountered Moreno, who denied discharging a firearm. He claimed unknown people had entered his property and shot a gun.
However, authorities observed spent shell casings in the area and asked Moreno if he owned any firearms. He said he did not and granted consent to search his residence, the release read.
The release stated that after entering the residence, authorities discovered various amounts of illegal narcotics as well as numerous firearms, including three AR-15-style semiautomatic rifles, one AK-47-style semiautomatic pistol, one .45-caliber rifle and four handguns. They also found over 450 rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
At that time, Moreno was under indictment for charges of unlawful use of a criminal instrument. He was, therefore, prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition, according to the release.
