Southeast Texas man convicted of firearms charge related to cocaine trafficking

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Southeast Texas man was convicted Monday of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the South Texas Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Eduardo Ignacio Reyes, 41, from Corpus Christi, Texas, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking after authorities seized a loaded 9mm handgun and a safe in his bedroom, which contained about 430 grams (15.1 ounces) of cocaine, $2,000 and 9mm ammunition. The officers also discovered additional cocaine and a second loaded handgun within the residence.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos accepted Reyes’s guilty plea and set his sentencing for Sept. 11. At that time, Reyes faces a minimum of five years and up to life in prison, as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.