A.D. Ibarra

-Eagle Pass

In an investigation which may have begun as far back as July, an Eagle Pass Police department Officer was arrested on Federal weapons charges.

US Magistrate Judge Collis White called for the arrest of Eriberto Leija for the unlawful use of a government computer, false statement and the possession of a stolen firearm.

According to reports, Leija was charged with the unlawful possession of what is alleged to be a single shot or automatic M-1 assault rifle which may be a part of a stash of stolen firearms.

According to officials, when a query was made back in June on the Federal and State government computerized system to find out if said weapon was in fact stolen, the system alerted local authorities as to the whereabouts of the rifle, thus initiating an investigation by EPPD detective Aldo Escamilla.

The case dates back to July and initiated in Austin as 16 weapons were stolen from a federally licensed broker.

The Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms came in looking for these weapons, 12 of which may have been AK-47's.

The M-1 in question is a .223 caliber assault rifle which has a 20/30-round polymer magazine, front sight adjusting kit (in the ratio 1:10), and can fire up to 40 rounds per minute (Single shot) or up to 100 rounds per minute (Automatically).

Chief Antonio Castañeda informed The News Gram that although he is saddened by the arrest of Leija, who has always been an exemplary officer and was even promoted this past year, he wants to assure the citizens of Eagle Pass that activity such as this will not be tolerated and that he runs a 'Tight' ship with respect to illicit activity seeing the problems faced with law enforcement agencies across the border.

"We take it very seriously," said Castañeda, "and we take these steps as it was made known to us in July.  The initial information given to us was of the illegal use of our computer system which is connected with State and Federal sources.  Mr. Leija used the system for personal use and personal gain as the system will take a description of the product, and it will tell you if it is stolen."

Leija is presently suspended without pay and is detained in Del Rio and is awaiting to post bail to regain his liberty while awaiting trial at the United States District Court Western District of Texas Del Rio Division.