Convicted felon sentenced to prison for firearms violation following multi-agency investigation involving HSI Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A previously convicted felon was sentenced Jan. 17 to more than five years in federal prison for a firearms violation following a multi-agency investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Corpus Christi; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas sentenced Hector Hernandez, a 40-year-old Falfurrias resident, to 66 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hernandez pleaded guilty to the charges Sept. 21.

On June 22, authorities attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle Hernandez was driving. He failed to stop and continued through several neighborhood streets at a high rate of speed. Although two tires became disabled, he continued to drive on the rims. When the vehicle finally stopped, law enforcement officials discovered a firearm inside Hernandez’s waistband.

Officials found that two passengers in the car were unlawfully present in the United States.

At Hernandez’s hearing, the court heard additional information regarding his history of possessing firearms in vehicles as a convicted felon, including two incidents that occurred in 2021. The court also heard details of Hernandez’s flight from police and that the firearm he possessed was previously reported stolen.

Hernandez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Liesel Roscher prosecuted the case.

For more news and information on HSI’s efforts to aggressively investigate crimes involving illegal firearms and ammunition in Southeast Texas, follow us on Twitter @HSIHouston.