Man accused of buying 'grenade-style' devices from undercover agent in Hidalgo County

HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Rio Grande Valley man is facing federal charges after allegedly buying grenade-like devices from an undercover agent on Thursday.

Jamez Aaron Sandoval, who was born in 1998, made an initial appearance in court Friday, where he is facing a charge of receiving a firearm that was not registered to him.

According to a criminal complaint, Sandoval was arrested following an undercover operation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF.

An undercover ATF agent met with Sandoval at an unspecific location in Hidalgo County. The agent explained to Sandoval how to use two "grenade-style destructive devices."

Sandoval said he understood the instructions and how to assemble the devices. Sandoval then displayed cash to the agent, and took the devices and walked towards his vehicle. At this point, he was taken into custody.

The complaint added that Sandoval was in possession of a Glock 9mm pistol with an extended high-capacity magazine.

An ATF explosives expert inspected the devices and determined they "contained all the necessary components to meet the definition of a destructive device," the document details.

A detention hearing was scheduled for August 5.