Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Collis White, Leija admitted that on July 15, 2012, he

possessed a stolen firearm, namely an M1 .30 caliber rifle with a folding stock. According to the factual basis

filed in the case, Leija claimed to have discovered the firearm in a vacant lot in Eagle Pass while investigating a

drive-by shooting incident. Furthermore, Leija admitted to taking a picture of it, then sending that picture to a

co-worker in an attempt to sell the firearm for $500. The factual basis further states that on the following

morning, Leija contacted EPPD dispatch and requested a firearms check through the NCIC database to

determine if the rifle was stolen. The query returned a positive hit indicating that the weapon had been stolen.

During questioning by EPPD personnel, Leija stated that he was not in possession of the firearm, that it was in

Mexico, and that he queried it as a favor to a Mexican Federal Police officer.

The factual basis also states that Leija attempted to cover up the fact that he knowingly was in possession of a

stolen firearm by soliciting a Mexico Federal Police officer to create a false document purporting to transfer the

custody of the stolen firearm. When confronted by authorities with the solicitation and photo he sent to his coworker,

Leija admitted that he lied about the scheme and the fact that the weapon had been in his possession the

entire time.

Leija is currently on bond pending sentencing. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the Eagle Pass Police

Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jay Hulings is prosecuting this case on behalf of the

Government.