Houston felon admits to three gunpoint robberies

HOUSTON - A 28-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

In November and December 2023, Josue Castro-Gomez robbed two gas stations and one Houston-area smoke shop at gunpoint.

On Nov. 25, 2023, Castro-Gomez entered a Korner Food Mart located in Houston, brandished a firearm and demanded the store clerk give him cash from the register. He proceeded to discharge the firearm, shooting above the clerk's head, but fled from the scene without taking any money.

On Dec. 11-12, 2023, Castro-Gomez went to a Circle K gas station and a Vape City, respectively, and demanded cash from the register. He received money on both occasions and fled the scenes.

On Dec. 12, law enforcement located Castro-Gonzalez and found him to be in possession of a .32 caliber handgun.

During the investigation, authorities matched a spent shell casing from the Nov. 25 robbery to the firearm in Castro-Gonzalez's possession at the time of his arrest through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network.

Castro-Gonzalez has prior felony convictions from 2015 and 2017 for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance, respectively. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.

U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. will impose sentencing Dec. 11. At that time, Castro-Gonzalez could receive up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each of two counts of robbery. For brandishing a firearm while committing a crime of violence, he faces another possible seven years in prison which he must serve consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with assistance from the Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.