Two illegal aliens and a Laredoan charged with various firearms offenses

LAREDO, Texas - Three men are in custody on charges related to the discovery of various weapons and ammunition at a Laredo residence linked to another crime, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Erick Lopez-Rivera Sr., 37, and Marcos Lora-Morales, 24, both illegal aliens unlawfully residing in Laredo, and Erick Lopez Jr., 18, Laredo, are expected to make their appearances before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future.

The investigation began March 21 when law enforcement discovered the location of a firearm allegedly used in a crime, according to the charges. During execution of search warrant at the residence, authorities allegedly discovered two machine gun conversion devices (MCDs) and a backpack that contained magazines and ammunition that Lopez had been storing.

MCDs convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons.

According to the complaint, authorities also located .38 special and .22LR ammunition linked to Lopez-Rivera Sr.

Upon further investigation, they allegedly found a grey backpack containing a 9mm S&W handgun Lora-Morales had purchased and a Mexican passport that belonged to him in a detached structure on the property. According to the complaint, Lora-Morales had overstayed his visa and was unlawfully present in the United States.

Lopez-Rivera Jr. is charged with possession of a machine gun, while Lopez-Rivera Sr. and Lora-Morales are facing charges of alien in possession of ammunition and alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition, respectively. Lopez-Rivera Sr. is also charged with felony reentry of an alien.

Possession of a machine gun carries a possible 10-year prison sentence, while alien in possession of ammunition and alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition have maximum penalties of 15 years. Illegal reentry after removal has a maximum 20-year-term of imprisonment. All three men could also be ordered to pay up to $250,000 in fines, upon each count of conviction.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, FBI and Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.