McAllen Pawn Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to Selling Firearms

McALLEN, Texas - A 67-year-old man has admitted to charges of providing ammunition to a prohibited person, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Daniel Gallegos pleaded guilty to selling thousands of rounds of various ammunition.

Gallegos is the long-time owner and operator of Danny's Pawn and Sporting Goods in McAllen.

As part of his plea, Gallegos admitted to selling approximately 280 rounds of .50 BMG caliber ammunition as well as more than 5,000 rounds of various sizes, ranging from .223 caliber to .50 caliber. He provided all of it to someone he knew to be a prohibited person - an individual who was illegally and unlawfully present in the United States - on four separate occasions during 2021.

Gallegos also admitted that he knew the person was prohibited under federal law from possessing the ammunition because the individual was illegally present in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa will impose sentencing Oct. 18. At that time, Gallegos faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $10,000 maximum fine.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Guerra, Jr. is prosecuting the case.

The Department of Justice launched Operation Guardian targeting firearms and illegal export of firearms in November 2019. On April 8, 2021, President Biden issued executive orders specifically targeting crimes involving guns.