Thread: 2 Texas brothers charged with smuggling ammunition to Mexico

I.C.E. News Release

April 10, 2012
Eagle Pass, TX

2 south Texas brothers charged with smuggling ammunition to Mexico

EAGLE PASS, Texas — Two brothers were arrested Tuesday for allegedly smuggling more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition and hundreds of firearm magazines into Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman, Western District of Texas. The investigation is being led by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Richard Hesles Jr., 32, and his brother, Damien Hesles, 22, were arrested without incident and taken into custody. Both brothers are scheduled to have their initial appearance in Del Rio, Texas, Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia.

According to court information, the federal grand jury returned the indictment April 4; it was unsealed Tuesday charging Richard with seven counts of smuggling ammunition from the United States, two counts of smuggling firearm magazines and one count of smuggling firearms sights. The indictment also charges Damien with three counts of smuggling ammunition, one count of smuggling magazines and one count of smuggling firearm sights.

The indictment also alleges that between March 15, 2010, and Feb. 17, 2012, the defendants aided and abetted the export or attempted export of the following prohibited items: more than 6,000 rounds of assault and sniper-rifle ammunition (AK-47, AR-15 and .50-caliber), more than 300 assault rifle magazines and 63 magazines for other types of firearms, and firearm sights. The indictment also seeks a monetary judgment against the defendants in the amount of about $100,000 which represents property allegedly used to carry out their illegal scheme.

Upon conviction, each defendant faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment per count.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Galdo and Benjamin Seal, Western District of Texas, are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

2 south Texas brothers charged with smuggling ammunition to Mexico

Feds arrest Hesles brothers in connection with a scheme to smuggle ammunition into Mexico


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: United States Attorney Robert Pitman, ICE-HSI Special Agent in Charge Jerry Robinette and ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Gary Orchowski announced the arrests today of Eagle Pass, Texas, residents Richard Hesles, Jr., age 32 and his brother, Damien Hesles, age 22, in connection with a scheme to smuggle over 6,000 rounds of ammunition and hundreds of firearm magazines into the Republic of Mexico.

A federal grand jury indictment–returned on April 4, 2012 and unsealed today–charges Richard with seven counts of smuggling ammunition from the United States, two counts of smuggling firearm magazines; and, one count of smuggling firearms sights. The indictment also charges Damien with three counts of smuggling ammunition, one count of smuggling magazines and one count of smuggling firearm sights.

The indictment alleges that between March 15, 2010, and February 17, 2012, the defendants aided and abetted the exportation or attempted exportation of: over 6,000 rounds of ammunition designed for use in various firearms, including AK-47 and AR-15 assault rifles as well as .50 caliber sniper rifles; over 300 assault rifle magazines and 63 magazines for other types of firearms; and, firearm sights.

The indictment also seeks a monetary judgement against the defendants in the amount of approximately $100,000 representing property allegedly used to carry out their illegal scheme.

The defendants are scheduled to have their initial appearance tomorrow morning at 9:00 in Del Rio before United States Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia.

Upon conviction, each defendant faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment per count.

The case is being investigated by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations together with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Galdo and Benjamin Seal are prosecuting the case on behalf of the Government.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Feds arrest Hesles brothers in connection with a scheme to smuggle ammunition into Mexico

Feds raid Eagle Pass gun shop


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Federal agents raided an award-winning gun shop in Eagle Pass on Tuesday, alleging it aided in sending guns and ammo across the border.

Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations descended on Hesles Gun Store in the center of town on the heels of a federal indictment that alleges its operators were complicit with smugglers suspected of supplying drug gangs in Mexico.


The suspects, brothers Richard R. Hesles Jr. 32, and Damien R. Hesles, 22, had taken over the family business after their father — who previously ran the store — passed away in recent years.
“There was evidence that they were knowingly selling ammunition and firearms being taken to Mexico,” said Richard Durbin, chief of the criminal division for the San Antonio-based Western District of Texas. The federal district includes Eagle Pass.


It was the first time in recent memory that the federal government in the Western District has charged the operators of a gun store.
ICE-HSI special agent in charge Jerry Robinette and acting assistant special agent in charge Gary Orchowski with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a news release that the activity included smuggling more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition for assault and sniper rifles and hundreds of firearm components to Mexico. The activity allegedly occurred between March 15, 2010 and Feb. 17 of this year.


The release said Richard Hesles was charged with seven counts of smuggling ammunition, two counts of smuggling firearm magazines and one count of smuggling firearm sights. Damien Hesles is charged with three counts of ammo smuggling, one count of smuggling magazines and one count of firearm sights, the release said.
The indictment also seeks a monetary judgment against the Hesles for $100,000.


The defendants were scheduled to have their initial court hearings in federal court in Del Rio Wednesday and face up to 10 years on each charge if convicted.


In 2010, Gov. Rick Perry commended the shop for 76 years in business and issued the patriarch, Rick Hesles Sr., an award for the accomplishment, according to an article in the Eagle Pass Business Journal.


Perry recognized the Hesles family for its “entrepreneurship and service to the state of Texas.”


Also, in July 24, 2010, then-Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez of San Antonio bought a custom-made shotgun there, the Business Journal reported.


The Business Journal reported that the shotgun was engraved with Rodriguez's name and the seal of Congress. Rick Hesles presented Rodriguez the shotgun in time for the 2010 hunting season, the story said.


Neither Perry nor Rodriguez responded to calls seeking comment Tuesday.

Read more: Feds raid Eagle Pass gun shop - San Antonio Express-News