Edinburg man caught with 109,000 rounds of ammunition

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Federal agents caught a felon with about 109,000 rounds of ammunition on Saturday.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Jacob Rivas, 34, of Edinburg on Saturday morning.

During a federal investigation, Rivas “had been identified as an ammunition smuggler,” according to the criminal complaint against him.

The ATF started watching Rivas.

Jacob Rivas in 2021, when he was booked at the Hidalgo County jail. (Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.)

On Friday, agents followed a red Chevrolet box truck from his house in Edinburg to a parking lot in Pharr.

“The BOX TRUCK was parked there overnight,” according to the criminal complaint, and federal agents “maintained surveillance on the BOX TRUCK throughout the night.”

Rivas showed up Saturday morning driving a gray Honda sedan. He parked the sedan and moved the box truck to another part of the parking lot.

Less than 30 minutes later, agents “observed a rollback wrecker back up to the BOX TRUCK and attempting to load the BOX TRUCK,” according to the criminal complaint.

Agents could see green ammunition cans in the box truck.

“RIVAS initially stated he did not have the key for the BOX TRUCK and was just there to observe,” according to the criminal complaint.

When agents told Rivas they had witnessed him driving the box truck, he changed his story and turned over the key.

Agents found about 109,000 rounds of ammunition in the box truck.

Rivas had pleaded guilty to felony charges and served time in state prison, according to documents filed with the Hidalgo County District Clerk’s Office. As a result, he wasn’t allowed to possess ammunition.

The ATF charged Rivas with being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Rivas remained in federal custody Monday and couldn’t be reached for comment.