Federal prison time for firearms violation

BEAUMONT, Texas - From U.S. Attorney's Office - A 19-year-old Port Arthur, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison as a result of Operation Time Machine in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Luis Alejandro Gonzalez pleaded guilty on Feb. 10, 2010 to receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison on June 1, 2010, by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.

According to information presented in court, on Jan. 1, 2010, Gonzalez and Jose Acebal-Blanco and attended a party in the 800 block of 12th Avenue in Port Arthur with an illegally purchased SKS style semi-automatic rifle hidden in the trunk of their vehicle. Acebal-Blanco and Gonzalez, who are affiliated with the Port Arthur Norteño-14 gang, encountered members of the Sureño-13 gang at that location. An altercation ensued and two individuals were shot and transported to the hospital with critical injuries. Prior to receiving the firearm on Jan. 1, 2010, Gonzalez was under indictment in Jefferson County Criminal District Court for the felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. A federal grand jury indicted Acebal-Blanco and Gonzalez on Jan 13, 2010, and charged them with federal firearms violations.

Acebal-Blanco pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by an illegal alien on Feb. 10, 2010. He has not yet been sentenced.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods' Operation Time Machine program. Operation Time Machine is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents in Port Arthur, Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

This case was investigated by the ATF, Port Arthur Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Baylor Wortham.