Two Eagle Passans Charged with Conspiracy to Export Firearm to Mexico

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2018

Two Eagle Pass, Texas citizens, Thelma Teresita Hiarmes and Jose Musio Hiarmes, were detained and charged with knowingly and fraudulently conspiring to export, or send, or attempt to export a firearm from the United States on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 by United States Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 Port of Entry.

According to the Criminal Complaint filed against the two defendants, “On February 7, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs) conducting outbound operations at the Eagle Pass, Texas Port of Entry Bridge No. 2 , within the Western District of Texas, encountered a vehicle heading southbound to Mexico driven by U.S. Citizen Thelma Teresita Hiarmes with passenger U.S. Citizen Jose Musio Hiarmes.  CBPOs made contact with Thelma Hiarmes who stated that they were heading to Mexico. Jose Musio Hiarmes gave a negative declaration for contraband, weapons, and currency.  During inspection, a concealed Glock 42 .380 semi-automatic handgun…was discovered in Thelma Hiarmes’ purse.”

The Criminal Complaint further states that “Homeland Security Investigation Special Agents interviewed both Thelma Hiarmes and Jose Hiarmes who waived their constitutional rights. Thelma Hiarmes admitted to purchasing the handgun for Jose Hiarmes and attempting to illegally smuggle the handgun concealed in her purse to Mexico.  Jose Hiarmes admitted to providing the money for the purchase of handgun and assisting Thelma Hiarmes in smuggling the handgun into Mexico. Jose Hiarmes stated that he has sold firearms in Mexico for financial gain.”

Both Thelma Teresita Hiarmes and Jose Musio Hiarmes were arrested and taken to the Val Verde Correctional Facility in Del Rio, Texas so that they can appear before a United States Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, in Del Rio, Texas. Both defendants had their initial court appearance on Friday, February 9, 2018, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Collis White in Del Rio. Both defendants were ordered to be held in detention until their Preliminary and Detention Hearings are held.

Both defendants had their Preliminary and Detention hearings on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Collis White and were granted Pretrial release on a $50,000 Bond each.

Eagle Pass attorney Gregory Torres is representing Thelma Teresita Hiarmes while Eagle Pass attorney Luis De Los Santos is representing Jose Musio Hiarmes.  The two defendants are brother and sister.

Assistant United States Attorney Amy Hale represents the United States government in the case.

Thelma Teresita Hiarmes is an elementary school teacher with the Eagle Pass Independent School District.  Jose Musio Hiarmes employment is unknown as of press time.

All defendants charged with a criminal offense are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court at law.