Man pleads guilty to possessing ‘Wicho' gun

June 19, 2012 9:52 PM
By MADELINE BUCKLEY/The Brownsville Herald

A Mexican national pleaded guilty Tuesday to entering the United States illegally and possessing a jewel-encrusted handgun that is at the center of the case against alleged Gulf Cartel leader José Luis Zúñiga-Hernández.

Luis Iván Nino-Duenes, 27, admitted to U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle that he did not have documentation to enter the U.S., and that at the time of his arrest, he was in possession of a gold Colt .38 Super handgun, which spelled out “Wicho” in diamonds and rubies.

The serial number of the gold handgun listed in the indictment against Nino-Duenes matches the number listed in an indictment for Zúñiga-Hernández, which charges him with illegal possession of the same handgun, customized with his nickname, “Comandante Wicho.”

Zúñiga-Hernández pleaded guilty in January to the immigration and firearm charges levied against him but withdrew that guilty plea Monday.

The alleged former Matamoros plaza boss was arrested Oct. 26 near Santa Maria along with several others as he crossed from Mexico to the United States.

His attorneys have said he was fleeing Mexico under threat of death due to his ousting as Matamoros plaza boss.

Border Patrol agents arrested Nino-Duenes as he waded across the Rio Grande, also near Santa Maria on Oct. 26, a criminal complaint states.

He will be sentenced Sept. 17 and could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Man pleads guilty to possessing ‘Wicho’ gun | guilty, possessing, handgun - Brownsville Herald