Firearms Smugglers Sentenced in Del Rio to Combined 39.5 Years in Federal Prison

DEL RIO, Texas - Two Americans and an illegal alien from Mexico were sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio on Tuesday to a combined 474 months in prison for their roles in a firearms trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.

According to court documents, Edgar Josue Montelongo-Loera, 39, of Dallas, and Reymundo Hernandez-Nino, 41, an illegal alien from Mexico were determined to be responsible for the trafficking of firearms to Mexico. In August 2024, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received information that Montelongo-Loera's sister and Hernande-Nino's wife, Kenia Lizbeth Montelongo, 31, had purchased multiple firearms including seven .380 caliber pistols and a .22 caliber pistol between May 17, 2024, and July 5, 2024. In the days following each of the purchases, Montelongo crossed into Mexico through Laredo. Montelongo-Loera, who had displayed multiple firearms in his social media profile pictures, was also recorded crossing in the same vehicle.

In August 2024, ATF agents reviewed WhatsApp conversations that included Montelongo-Loera, in which he said his "buddy" could get requested firearms and that he had someone who could transport them. ATF agents reviewed additional WhatsApp conversations in November 2024, in which Montelongo-Loera again discussed his firearm trafficking operation.

Montelongo-Loera was arrested on July 14, 2025, after a co-conspirator was found attempting to smuggle eight handguns and 19 magazines into Mexico. Two days later, ATF agents, along with the San Antonio Police Department, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, executed a search warrant on the San Antonio residence of Hernandez-Nino. A total of 24 firearms were immediately recovered, to include handguns, AR-15 style assault rifles, and a shotgun. ATF also recovered more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition from the residence and multiple sets of body armor. Based on other evidence obtained during the investigation, ATF determined that the weapons, ammunition and accessories were bound for a Mexican drug cartel. Hernandez-Nino and Kenia Lizbeth Montelongo were arrested during the search.

Montelongo-Loera pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms on Feb. 23. On Feb. 26, Hernandez-Nino pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the United States and alien in possession of a firearm, while Kenia Lizbeth Montelongo pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the United States and sale or transfer to a prohibited person.

On Tuesday, Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced Montelongo-Loera to 180 months in federal prison. Hernandez-Nino and Kenia Montelongo were sentenced to 150 and 144 months, respectively.

"These three sentencings bring to a close a massive case involving ten conspirators who smuggled more than 200 weapons into Mexico," said U.S. Attorney Simmons. "This activity is orchestrated by cartels, and the weapons being trafficked across the border are in direct support of organized criminal activity. Specifically, these weapons are used by cartels to terrorize Mexican citizens and war with law enforcement in an effort to maintain control of drug trafficking and human smuggling routes. These activities ultimately harm American citizens trapped in the prison of addiction and facilitate the movement of illegal aliens with violent criminal history into our country, our cities, and our neighborhoods. My office has a long history of aggressively prosecuting those who smuggle firearms, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute those who violate American laws at the behest of the Mexican cartels."

"This investigation demonstrates ATF's unwavering commitment to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling firearms trafficking networks that fuel violence across our borders," said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel for ATF Houston. "These defendants played significant roles in a coordinated operation to illegally acquire and traffic firearms intended for a Mexican drug cartel. Through the dedicated work of our special agents and our law enforcement partners, we were able to uncover this operation, seize dozens of firearms, and hold those responsible accountable. ATF will continue to aggressively pursue those who exploit our firearms laws and facilitate the flow of illegal weapons into the hands of criminal organizations."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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