Officer Ramon Martinez Pleads Guilty to Selling Illegal Guns

BROWNSVILLE, Texas

A former South Texas police officer has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally selling guns that wound up in Mexico.

Ramon Martinez, who at the time was a Palm Valley police officer, would buys guys from dealers and private citizens, often over the Internet, then sell them for a profit.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, guns found in Mexico and traced back to Martinez triggered the investigation.

Martinez, 37, faces five years in prison and as much $250,000 in fines for dealing in firearms without a license. U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle set sentencing for Jan. 28.