United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas

09/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2025 07:49

Texas Mexican Mafia Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm

Press Release

Texas Mexican Mafia Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas

DEL RIO, Texas - A Crystal City man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 180 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Mario Zavala, 39, was convicted for organized criminal activity with the Texas Mexican Mafia in August 2013. On Nov. 6, 2024, he was arrested on a warrant and admitted to possessing a loaded .40 caliber pistol in his residence. Additionally, Zavala had maintained his ties to the Texas Mexican Mafia and continued to distribute narcotics-namely cocaine and methamphetamine.

Zavala was indicted for one count of felon in possession of a firearm on Dec. 4, 2024, and he pleaded guilty March 5, 2025. U.S. District Judge Ernest Gonzalez presided over the court proceedings.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

ICE, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Zavala County Sheriff's Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Ellis-Dotson prosecuted the case.

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Updated September 17, 2025
Topic
Firearms Offenses
Components
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
USAO - Texas, Western
United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas published this content on September 17, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 17, 2025 at 13:49 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]