Gun, bulletproof vest smuggler caught in Roma

Tuesday, February 02, 2010 at 8:15 p.m.

A Michigan man is behind bars in the Rio Grande Valley after being caught smuggling guns and bags filled with bulletproof vests into Mexico.

U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted Pablo Leyva-Angiano in a car near the Roma International Bridge around 8:15 p.m. Thursday.

Court records show that the agents saw two men come from nearby brush, go to the trunk of his and run towards the Rio Grande with two trash bags.

The 26-year-old Grand Rapids, Michigan man was going to leave but Border Patrol agents stopped him and searched the trunk of his car.

Court records show the agents found a cache of arms and ammunition:

Colt AR-15 A2 .223 caliber assault rifle
Colt Law Enforcement Carbine 5.56mm caliber assault rifle
DPMS Panther Arms Model A-15 .223 caliber assault rifle
CN Romarm SA/Cugir Model WASR-10/63 7.62mm caliber assault rifle
Sig Sauer P225 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol
20 high-capacity rifle magazines
4 pistol magazines

Leyva-Angiano allegedly told investigators that the two men had taken two bags each filled with 30 bulletproof vests into Mexico.

The Michigan man remains behind bars under federal firearms charges.

Court records show that he made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos in McAllen on Friday.

Leyva-Angiano is expected to appear before Judge Ramos for bond hearing on Wednesday morning.

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=410779