Fort Worth resident on deferred adjudication charged for possessing illegal firearms
Fort Worth, Texas – Brennan Trainor Rodriguez, a 33-year-old Fort Worth man previously on deferred adjudication for a 2013 heroin-related death, faces new charges for federal gun crimes. U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton of the Northern District announced the charges, which include illegal possession of a machinegun and the illegal receipt of a firearm by a person still under indictment.
Rodriguez’s legal problems date back to June 7, 2013, when he was charged with injecting heroin into a 21-year-old man, leading to the man’s fatal overdose. He admitted to his role in the death, which resulted in him being placed on 10 years of deferred adjudication starting on November 26, 2014. A key condition of his community supervision was a prohibition against possessing firearms, which remains in effect until the conclusion of the deferred adjudication period.
The recent charges stem from an August 6, 2024, incident where law enforcement was called to address a domestic disturbance. According to the victim, Rodriguez’s former girlfriend, he had been engaging in stalking and harassing behaviors post-breakup. She also alerted the police to Rodriguez’s frequent firearms use, including a weapon capable of fully automatic fire.
A week after the domestic call, Rodriguez was arrested for stalking. During a search of his residence, authorities seized nine firearms. Among the weapons was a Smith & Wesson rifle modified with a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “switch” or “auto sear.”
These findings led to a two-count federal indictment against Rodriguez. It is important to note that an indictment is not a declaration of guilt but merely an allegation. Rodriguez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted of these federal gun charges, Rodriguez could face up to 10 years in federal prison. His cases in state court are also still pending, adding further complexity to his legal situation.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division – Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen is in charge of the prosecution.
