San Juan woman sentenced for smuggling 33 AK-47s, other rifles into Mexico

HIDALGO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A San Juan woman was sentenced to federal prison this week for smuggling nearly 40 firearms into Mexico, including 33 AK-47s.

Jessica Alvarado, 33, was sentenced to 3.8 years in prison on a charge of smuggling goods from the United States, records show. In January, Alvarado signed a plea agreement that dismissed an additional count of possession of a controlled substance.

On Jan. 31, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Hidalgo port of entry conducted an inspection on a Ford F-150 attempting to enter Mexico.

_{Jessica Alvarado signed a plea agreement where she agreed to forfeit several dozen firearms (Document obtained by ValleyCentral)}

Alvarado, who is a U.S. citizen, was identified as the driver. She was asked if she had excess cash, firearms or ammunition, to which she replied, no.

The vehicle was referred to a secondary inspection after officers noticed the bed of the truck was "abnormally elevated," the complaint stated.

At that point, Homeland Security Investigations, along with Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms special agents, responded to assist with the investigation.

At first, Alvarado told agents that the F-150 was left at her residence with instructions to transport it to Mexico. She later said that she drove the F-150 from Houston down to her residence in San Juan, the complaint stated. She suspected she was transporting illegal goods.

"A total of (33) AK-47s, (3) AR-15s, (1) .22 Long rifle, (2), .45 caliber handguns, and (38) magazines were extracted from the bed of the F-150 truck that Alvarado was attempting to smuggle into Mexico," the complaint stated.

_{Jessica Alvarado signed a plea agreement where she agreed to forfeit several dozen firearms (Document obtained by ValleyCentral)}

HSI and the San Juan Police Department searched Alvarado's home, where they found two firearms and approximately $10,000 in cash. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney's Office stated that the search revealed 499 grams of a powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.

Her bond was set at $50,000, and on March 10, she was released on bond after making a $2,500 deposit.

At the hearing, the court heard that these weapons typically land in the hands of the cartel, and that Alvarado admitted to dealing cocaine on several occasions, the release stated.

“Alvarado tried to sneak dangerous weapons across our southern border which could have had devastating effects,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “This sentence should serve as a warning - put guns in the hands of others illegally and pay a hefty price with your freedom. An AK-47 or AR-15 doesn’t belong in the hands of a criminal.”  

Alvarado will remain out on bond and will surrender at a later date to serve her sentence.