A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office reveals that Jamez Aaron Sandoval, a 26-year-old resident of San Juan, has been handed a 10-year prison sentence for his involvement in possessing destructive devices and using a firearm in connection with drug trafficking. Sandoval, who openly admitted to being a member of the Westside gang, entered a guilty plea on September 19.
U.S. Chief District Judge Randy Crane has handed down the sentence, which entails three years of supervised release after serving time in prison. The court proceedings unveiled that Sandoval made an endeavor to create an improvised explosive device, possessed a firearm during a grenade exchange, and documented himself shooting fully automatic weapons. Judge Crane emphasized that Sandoval actively encouraged violence through his social media posts, which displayed an individual firing a firearm fitted with a machinegun conversion device at law enforcement officers.
On August 1, law enforcement officials apprehended Sandoval for his involvement in the acquisition of two destructive devices resembling grenades. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) had an undercover agent who sold these devices to Sandoval, leading to his arrest. During a search of his residence, authorities discovered cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and firearms. Notably, Sandoval had previously sold conversion devices for machineguns to law enforcement before his attempt to procure grenades.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Sandoval had utilized a firearm discovered within his residence as a means of safeguarding himself during his involvement in drug trafficking endeavors. Presently, he is being held in custody and will soon be transferred to a facility under the supervision of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The ATF, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Alamo Police Department collaborated on a joint investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program.
This initiative, introduced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in May 2021, aims to reduce violent crime. The program emphasizes building community trust, providing support to violence prevention organizations, establishing strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.