U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas

SAN ANTONIO – A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned indictments charging two Texas men with offenses related to the unlawful dealing of firearms.  

According to court documents, Ronin Michael Rhoades, 24, of Georgetown, and Tristan James Banda, 42, of Pflugerville, were both allegedly engaged in the business of dealing in firearms, despite not being licensed firearms dealers.

Additionally, Rhoades allegedly conspired to traffic and straw purchase a variety of firearms, including AR- and AK-style rifles, FN SCAR rifles, pistols, and a .50 caliber rifle.

Rhoades was arrested Aug. 1 and is charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, one count of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, and one count of dealing in firearms without a license. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison for the firearms trafficking charge, up to 25 years imprisonment for the straw purchasing charge, and up to five years for dealing firearms without a license.

Banda was arrested Aug. 14 and is charged with one count of dealing in firearms without a license. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the cases.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve is prosecuting the cases.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.