Department of Justice

LAREDO, Texas – A 46-year-old man has been sent to prison following his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

The jury deliberated for 45 minutes before convicting Daniel Arturo Lozano July 27 following a one-day trial.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Lozano to serve 46 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court stressed the fact that Lozano was a convicted felon yet brandished a firearm to law enforcement. The court further noted he would “have to make some changes.”

On June 21, 2021, law enforcement responded to reports describing Lozano’s angry and disorderly behavior at Lozano’s Country Store located in San Ygnacio.

Upon their arrival, Lozano fled the scene and began a vehicle chase before returning to the store. At that time, he exited his vehicle and brandished an AR-style rifle. Lozano left the rifle at the store, returned to his truck and departed. Law enforcement took Lozano into custody later that night.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that the weapon Lozano displayed was actually a realistic-looking pellet gun that law enforcement found when they arrested him. However, the jury saw both the pellet gun and AR-style rifle compared side by side and the rifle was identified as the weapon Lozano had showed at the scene.

The jury did not believe defense claims and found Lozano guilty as charged.

He has been previously convicted of possession of cocaine. As such, he is prohibited per federal law of possession of a firearms or ammunition.

Lozano will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Bajew and David Fawcett prosecuted the case.