San Juan man sentenced for buying grenade-style destructive devices

A 26-year-old self-admitted gang member from San Juan on Tuesday was sentenced to a decade in prison for possessing grenade-style destructive devices and using a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking activity.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced in a news release the sentence for Jamez Aaron Sandoval, who pleaded guilty on Sept. 19.

He was arrested in an undercover sting on Aug. 1 after he purchased two grenade-style destructive devices from an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, according to a criminal complaint.

“Law enforcement then conducted a search of his residence and found cocaine, marijuana, drug dealing paraphernalia as well as firearms,” the release stated. “Sandoval previously sold law enforcement machinegun conversion devices before asking to purchase grenades.”

The investigation revealed that Sandoval used a firearm found in his residence for protection during his drug trafficking activities.

During the sentencing hearing, U.S. Chief District Judge Randy Crane heard how Sandoval attempted to make a homemade grenade, took a gun with him to the undercover sting and recorded himself firing fully automatic weapons.

“In handing down the prison terms, Judge Crane noted that Sandoval promoted violence with his social media post of an individual firing a firearm equipped with a machinegun conversion device towards law enforcement,” the release stated.

Sandoval has remained in custody since his arrest and will be transferred to a federal prison.

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