Texas woman indicted on weapons export charges following HSI McAllen investigation

McALLEN, Texas — A South Texas woman is expected to face charges Friday related to firearms and drug trafficking following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigation.

On Feb. 21, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Jessica Alvarado, 31, from San Juan. She was originally charged by criminal complaint for smuggling goods from the United States and possessing approximately 499 grams of cocaine with intent to distribute.

According to court documents, on Jan. 31, Alvarado attempted to depart the United States via the Hidalgo Port of Entry driving a Ford F-150. She allegedly denied having firearms, but authorities noticed the bed of the pickup truck was abnormally elevated and referred her to secondary inspection. A search of the truck resulted in the discovery of 33 AK-47 variant rifles, three AR-15 rifles, a .22 caliber long rifle, two .45 caliber handguns and 39 ammunition magazines. The complaint says that Alvarado does not possess a license to export firearms from the United States.

The investigation led to a search at Alvarado’s residence in San Juan, according to the charges. There, law enforcement also allegedly found approximately 499 grams of a packaged white and powdery substance that field-tested positive for the characteristics of cocaine and more than $13,000 in bulk U.S. currency.

If convicted, Alvarado faces up to 20 years in prison for the cocaine trafficking charge and a up to 10 years for illegal exportation of firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter I. Brostowin, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting the case.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.