A customs officer avoided prison time but was sentenced to five years probation for his role in a gun buying scheme.
Manuel Eduardo Peña appeared for sentencing before U.S. District Court Judge Hilda Tagle in Brownsville on Monday afternoon.
A federal jury convicted Peña back in August for buying guns at local sporting goods stores for people other than himself, which is a federal crime.
The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officer claimed the weapons were a "communal purchase" for a deer hunting club between him and his friends.
Peña had requested probation and received it but Judge Tagle placed several conditions on it:
• Six months home confinement
• GPS monitoring outside district
• 25 hours community service
• No alcohol
• Drug/alcohol abuse counseling
• Proof of employment
According to the Associated Press, Peña was last listed on unpaid leave from his job.
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