LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - An alleged member of the Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos gang has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for leading a straw-purchasing scheme to funnel dozens of firearms to a Mexican cartel illegally.

Jesus Guadalupe Covarrubias, 40, was found guilty of the gun trafficking operation, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Covarrubias, a convicted felon, used family members to buy at least 50 guns and ammunition using his money between 2018 and 2021. He also filed a false report claiming 30 rifles were stolen from his ranch after a deal with a cartel.

Authorities found inconsistencies in his claim and questioned it. However, they found that 23 of those weapons, including a $10,000 .50 caliber rifle, could not be located.

Covarrubias fled to Mexico af

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