US indicts four for alleged arms supply to Sinaloa Cartel

U.S. federal prosecutors have brought 12 charges against four individuals accused of supplying weapons to Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel. The indictment, unsealed in the Northern District of Texas, targets two Mexican citizens and two U.S. residents involved in a scheme to traffic firearms from Texas to cartel operatives.

Loyd Walter Hall, 27, faces charges including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to traffic drugs into the United States, and firearms offenses. He is accused of working with accomplices to provide firearms, technical assistance, and advice to evade U.S. authorities, in coordination with a Sinaloa Cartel member in Chihuahua, Mexico, between 2024 and 2026.

Jesús Quezada Meza, 30, a Mexican citizen residing in Dumas, Texas, and Omar Velásquez, 44, of Utah, are charged with conspiracy to illegally purchase and traffic firearms. Catlynn Ann Townsend, 29, is accused of providing false information when acquiring a firearm from a licensed dealer.

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Every firearm trafficked from the United States to a cartel strengthens its capacity to terrorize communities, secure its drug trafficking operations, engage in acts of corruption, and commit international fuel theft.

Federal prosecutor Ryan Raybould stated that arms trafficking strengthens criminal organizations. "Every firearm trafficked from the United States to a cartel strengthens its capacity to terrorize communities, secure its drug trafficking operations, engage in acts of corruption, and commit international fuel theft," he said. Raybould emphasized the commitment to dismantling cartel support networks, vowing, "We will not stop until cartels and those who support and cover for them are eradicated completely."

All defendants have made their initial court appearances. Hall faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, while Quezada Meza and Velásquez could receive up to 15 years. Townsend faces up to five years. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson noted the indictment demonstrates the administration's dedication to dismantling arms trafficking networks fueling cartel violence.

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We will not stop until cartels and those who support and cover for them are eradicated completely.