A father and son are facing federal charges after a joint investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol uncovered an alleged scheme to traffic more than 75 firearms and large quantities of ammunition purchased at local gun shows.
Federal authorities identified the suspects as 48-year-old Andres Avila, a Mexican national unlawfully in the U.S., and his son, 22-year-old Anthony Avila of Houston. In addition to firearms-trafficking charges, Andres Avila is also charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition as an illegal alien.
Investigators launched the probe after observing the pair engaging in behavior consistent with straw purchasing. According to court documents, agents witnessed the Avilas wearing backpacks and working in tandem to buy firearms. Once the bags were filled, they allegedly dumped the contents into large totes tucked beneath a vendor’s display table. Agents say the two paid cash and primarily bought from private sellers.
After spending more than six hours making purchases, the Avilas left the gun show in a Texas-registered vehicle. A subsequent traffic stop uncovered bulk ammunition matching what agents saw purchased earlier. A records check confirmed that Andres Avila is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his unlawful immigration status.
Vendors associated with the booth told investigators they met the Avilas through a Texas pawn shop and were paid in cash to buy firearm magazines. Ultimately, authorities recovered over 75 firearms from the totes.
“Illegally trafficked firearms often end up in the hands of drug cartels, terrorists, foreign adversaries, or other dangerous individuals,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “By uncovering this scheme and seizing these weapons, we prevented a large cache from potentially fueling violence or other criminal activity.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Dowdell is prosecuting the case.
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