Straw purchaser sent to prison after purchasing 58 firearms for another

McALLEN, Texas - A 29-year-old Mexican resident has been sentenced for her role in straw purchasing firearms to export to Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Martha Padron pleaded guilty Sept. 11 to making false statements during a purchase of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Padron to serve 21 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Padron communicated with another to purchase firearms so that the firearms could be exported to Mexico. The court also learned Padron purchased 58 firearms from 2021 to 2023. On many occasions, she crossed from Mexico into the United States, purchased the firearm and returned to Mexico the same day.

On or about May 2, 2022, Padron falsely claimed on required forms to reside in the United States. However, the investigation revealed Padron lived in Mexico and often crossed into the United States to purchase firearms. Further investigation revealed the ongoing nature of Padron's criminal activity

She will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore Parran III and Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case.