Convicted felon headed to prison after violent conduct leads to federal firearms charges

LAREDO, Texas - A 55-year-old Laredo man has been sentenced for illegally possessing firearms.

Raymond Gutierrez pleaded guilty July 29, 2025.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Gutierrez to serve 84 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard evidence that Gutierrez used meth and engaged in violent conduct while committing the crime, including holding two individuals at gunpoint and threatening to kill them. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the seriousness of Gutierrez's conduct and the extent of his drug use.

On March 29, 2024, law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance at Gutierrez's ranch. They learned Gutierrez accused someone of stealing a firearm, fired a round inside the residence, pointed a firearm at the individual, and threatened a shootout.

When authorities arrived, they observed Gutierrez in possession of firearms and seized a 9 mm pistol.

The investigation revealed law enforcement had responded to the ranch on multiple occasions. During the incidents, they documented Gutierrez illegally possessing firearms.

Following a report that Gutierrez was using meth, possessed multiple firearms, and had become increasingly violent, authorities executed a search warrant at his ranch Feb. 21, 2025, seizing six firearms, including five rifles, a shotgun, and an unregistered silencer.

As a convicted felon, Gutierrez is prohibited from possessing firearms per federal law.

He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of Drug Enforcement Administration and Webb County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch prosecuted the case.