Mexican nationals residing in the U.S. are facing over eight years in prison for their involvement in a straw purchasing scheme that provided firearms to cartel members, all while benefiting from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program established during the Obama administration.
This week, 22-year-old Mario Eliarial appeared before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane in McAllen, Texas, for a sentencing hearing. Eliarial had previously entered a guilty plea regarding straw purchasing charges back in 2024.
Judge Crane sentenced him to 97 months in federal prison. According to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office provided to Breitbart Texas, Eliarial is not a U.S. citizen and will undergo deportation proceedings after serving his time. He had been allowed to stay in the country under DACA, which applies to individuals who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.
Federal prosecutors report that Eliarial enlisted others to buy an AK-47-type rifle in southern Texas, which was subsequently smuggled into Mexico. Authorities seized three AK-47 rifles during the arrest, acquired with the help of two other young U.S. citizens who could legally buy guns in Texas. The court records do not mention the specific cartel associated with the gun purchases, but the Gulf Cartel operates just south of McAllen.
As part of his guilty plea, Eliarial offered $300 to each individual who facilitated a gun purchase for him, intending to dodge U.S. laws that barred him from buying firearms personally. Federal prosecutors say at least 13 additional weapons have either been obtained or are being arranged for him.
