An Austin man remains behind bars after he allegedly crossed the border to buy a gun in the parking lot of a Whataburger in Hidalgo.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested Aaron De Leon for attempting to export a semi-automatic gun and ammunition without a license.
Court records show that the 21-year-old Mexican man crossed into the United States at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge on Tuesday.
De Leon allegedly walked over to a Whataburger restaurant off Bridge and 23rd Streets where me met a man named “Gordo” in the parking lot.
The 21-year-old man told customs officers that he bought a Beretta 9mm caliber handgun, tucked in his waistband and headed back to Mexico.
Customs officers performing outbound inspections tried to stop De Leon but he allegedly tried to ignore them and then ran when that didn't work.
Officers caught De Leon and found the gun and ammunition.
A motive for the case is not clear but federal officials told Action 4 News in past interviews that 9mm caliber handguns are popular black market items for Mexican drug cartels.
Court records show that De Leon is a Mexican national with legal residency in the United States. Customs officers said he lives in Austin.
The 21-year-old remains in custody without bond after appearing before a federal judge in McAllen on Wednesday morning.
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