Houston felon sentenced to federal prison for Crockett firearms violation

BEAUMONT, Texas –A Houston convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

 

Erik Saenz, 43, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone on May 21, 2026.

 

According to information presented in court, on February 2, 2025, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a child endangerment complaint in Crockett.  The reporting party stated that Saenz was intoxicated and traveling on foot with a pre-school aged child.  Officers located Saenz walking on the side of a highway and attempted to speak with him.  Saenz smelled of alcohol and showed signs of intoxication.  When officers attempted to remove the child from Saenz, he resisted.  During the struggle, Saenz attempted to reach for a firearm that was tucked into his waistband.  The officers were eventually able to disarm Saenz and he was arrested.  Further investigation revealed

Saenz has previous felony convictions for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, burglary, and injury to a child.  Federal law prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms.

 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Crockett Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.