Illegal alien brothers sentenced for gun possession in the Eastern District of Texas (DOJ)

BEAUMONT, Texas -A pair of illegal alien brothers have been sentenced to federal prison for firearms possession in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Isaac Valencia-Espinosa, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on August 7, 2026. Isaac's brother, Fernando Valencia-Espinosa, 30, was also sentenced to 15 months in federal prison by Judge Crone on August 4, 2026, for the same violation.

According to information presented in court, in November 2025, while conducting enforcement actions in the Sabine National Forest, law enforcement encountered a vehicle occupied by two men later identified as Isaac Valencia-Espinosa and Fernando Valencia-Espinosa. Both men provided Arkansas drivers licenses and claimed to be United States citizens. Homeland Security personnel determined the drivers' licenses were fraudulent. Once Isaac and Fernando's true names were ascertained, law enforcement determined they were both citizens of Mexico who were illegally present in the United States. Law enforcement also recovered two rifles and two handguns during the encounter. Isaac and Fernando are prohibited from possessing firearms as they are illegally present in the United States.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the Law enforcement seized firearms from the vehicle prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Department of Homeland Security. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston.

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