Southeast Texas felon admits to illegally possessing loaded pistol, ammo following HSI Corpus Christi investigation

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A southeast Texas man pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon June 23 following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Corpus Christi and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Chad Everett Williams Jr., a 32-year-old Corpus Christi resident, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to possessing a loaded Diamondback Firearms pistol and 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Williams has been previously convicted of aggravated robbery. As a felon, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

On Oct. 27, 2021, law enforcement pulled Williams over to conduct a traffic stop. At that time, they noticed the odor of marijuana. He admitted to smoking in the car earlier in the day. Upon questioning, he also admitted he had a weapon in his vehicle. Soon after, authorities conducted a search and discovered the pistol along with the ammunition.

Williams is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 21. At that time, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The Corpus Christi Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin is prosecuting the case.

HSI is committed to combating illegal firearms, ammunition and explosives smuggling activities that fuel violence both domestically and abroad. HSI fulfills this commitment by relying on the agency’s extensive legal authorities and unique expertise in conducting illegal export and contraband smuggling investigations.

For more news and information on HSI Houston’s efforts to target the illegal movement of U.S. origin firearms, ammunition, and explosives in Southeast Texas follow us on Twitter @HSIHouston.