A Houston man was sentenced today to 101 months in federal prison – just shy of 8.5 years – for trafficking more than 300 firearms to Colombia. Patrick Regan, 41, had plead guilty in January of last year to several related firearms allegations, including conspiracy to make false statements to a federal firearms licensee, dealing firearms without a license, and possession of unregistered firearms with eradicated serial numbers.
Additional evidence was brought against the Houston native to establish that he was also supplying the firearms to criminal organizations overseas. He is believed to have been supporting groups that take control of Columbian municipalities and regions by way of fear, violence, and murder.
A U.S. District Judge sentenced Regan to federal prison for 60 months on each of the first four charges, set to be served concurrently, and an additional 41 months for possession of an unregistered firearm. He will also be required to serve two years of supervised release after serving his sentence and will not be permitted to possess a firearm. During the hearing, the Judge stated that the crimes were among the most serious charges to come through the District Courts, and that courts are intent on handling these cases aggressively.
Experienced Representation for Houston Residents Facing Federal Charges
This case highlights the increased severity of federal crimes. Handled by federal courts and prosecutors, federal charges often impose the harshest penalties and sentencing guidelines. Federal crimes can be any criminal offense explicitly prohibited by federal law. Federal allegations may also arise when a crime is committed across state lines, when large criminal organizations are involved, when numerous victims are affected, or when crimes occur on federal property, among other situations.
Due to Houston's close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the city sees its fair share of international crimes, just as in the case of this overseas firearm smuggling. Whatever the particular reason prompting federal charges may be, those who stand accused of federal crimes must be aware that they face intensive investigations, zealous prosecution, and severe, life-altering criminal consequences. As such, anyone charged with a federal crime should make working with a seasoned criminal defense attorney their first priority.
As a former prosecutor who has handled numerous federal cases in Houston and throughout the state of Texas, Attorney Billy Skinner knows first-hand that these cases place defendants' lives and futures on the line. Having accumulated insight into the numerous organizations that conduct federal investigations – including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Attorney Billy Skinner has developed the necessary skills to aggressively defend clients charged with a wide range of federal crimes.
If you or your loved one is currently facing federal allegations in Houston or any of the surrounding communities of Texas, you need to take decisive action to find experienced representation capable of handling complex, high-stakes cases. At Billy Skinner & Associates, the help and proven representation you require is readily available. Contact a Houston criminal defense lawyer from our firm to learn more about federal crimes.
