Honduran National Receives 31-Year Federal Sentence for Central Texas Armed Robberies

In a significant federal case underscoring the severe penalties for interstate violent crime, a 27-year-old Honduran national, Christian Lopez-Burgos, was sentenced to 375 months (over 31 years) in prison for his role in a series of armed robberies across Central Texas. The sentence, handed down in February 2026, follows a guilty plea in September 2025 to multiple charges, including conspiracy and firearm offenses. This case provides a critical look at how federal prosecutors tackle violent crime through statutes like the Hobbs Act and the mandatory minimums associated with brandishing or discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Key Points: The Case Against Christian Lopez-Burgos

The core facts of the case, as established by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, are as follows:

• Defendant: Christian Lopez-Burgos, a 27-year-old citizen of Honduras.
• Crime Wave: Participated in a conspiracy to commit multiple armed robberies in the Central Texas region.
• Charges & Plea: Pleaded guilty in September 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, two substantive counts of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
• Sentence: 375 months (31 years and 3 months) in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
• Jurisdiction: The case was prosecuted in federal court because the robberies affected interstate commerce, a key element of the Hobbs Act.

Background: The Hobbs Act and Federal Jurisdiction

What is the Hobbs Act?

Enacted in 1934, the Hobbs Act (18 U.S.C. § 1951) is a powerful federal statute that prohibits robbery or extortion that “in any way or degree obstructs, delays, or affects commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce.” The key is the minimal effect on interstate commerce. Even a local robbery of a small business can fall under federal jurisdiction if the business uses goods that have moved across state lines (e.g., supplies from another state) or if the robbery impacts the business’s ability to engage in interstate commerce. This broad interpretation allows federal prosecutors to pursue violent street crimes that might otherwise be state offenses.

Why Federal Court? State vs. Federal Prosecution

While Texas state courts handle the vast majority of robbery cases, the federal system becomes involved when the crime intersects with federal interests. In this instance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office likely determined that the robberies—targeting perhaps businesses like convenience stores, gas stations, or restaurants—met the Hobbs Act’s commerce clause requirement. Federal prosecution often brings more resources, broader sentencing guidelines, and the ability to stack firearm charges, leading to potentially longer prison terms than comparable state convictions.

Analysis: Breaking Down the Charges and the 31-Year Sentence

The lengthy sentence is not for the robberies alone but is a direct result of the mandatory firearm enhancements under federal law. Understanding the structure of the charges is key to understanding the sentence.

1. The Hobbs Act Robbery Charges (Conspiracy & Substantive Counts)

The single conspiracy charge and two substantive robbery counts form the foundation. A conspiracy charge proves an agreement to commit the crime and an overt act in furtherance of it, even if a specific robbery was not completed. Each Hobbs Act robbery count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. However, the base sentence for these would typically be much lower without the firearm charges.

2. The Firearm Charges: The Real Sentence Drivers (18 U.S.C. § 924(c))

This is where the sentence escalates dramatically. Section 924(c) imposes harsh, consecutive mandatory minimum sentences for using, carrying, brandishing, or discharging a firearm during a “crime of violence” (which a Hobbs Act robbery categorically qualifies as). The law treats these sentences separately from the underlying crime.

• Brandishing: Mandatory minimum of 7 years.
• Discharging: Mandatory minimum of 10 years.

Because Lopez-Burgos was charged with two counts of discharging and one count of brandishing, the mandatory minimums alone totaled 27 years (10+10+7). These sentences must run consecutively (one after the other) and cannot be run concurrently with each other or with the sentence for the underlying robbery. This “stacking” is a hallmark of federal gun crime prosecution and is the primary reason for the 31-year total.

3. Sentencing Calculation and Guidelines

The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines provide a framework, but the 924(c) mandatory minimums are often the controlling factor. The judge would have calculated a guideline range for the robbery and conspiracy offenses, but the 27-year mandatory minimum from the gun charges superseded it. The final sentence of 375 months indicates the judge likely imposed a sentence within the guideline range for the robbery counts (adding a few years) to run consecutively to the 27-year mandatory minimum. The total reflects the law’s design: punish the violent act of using a gun most severely.

Practical Advice and Broader Implications

This case is a textbook example for legal practitioners, law enforcement, and the public on the consequences of armed crime.

For Individuals & Communities:

• Understanding Federal Risk: Anyone considering a robbery must understand that if a firearm is involved and the target has any interstate commerce link (which is nearly all businesses), they are risking a federal indictment with decades-long mandatory minimums.
• Gun Crime Enhancement: The decision to brandish or discharge a firearm during a crime transforms the potential penalties. Even an unloaded gun that is shown (brandished) triggers a 7-year mandatory minimum if charged federally.
• Conspiracy Liability: You do not need to be the person who pointed the gun or took the money to be held equally responsible. Agreeing to the plan and taking any overt action makes you liable for the conspiracy and all foreseeable substantive crimes committed by co-conspirators.

For Legal Professionals:

• 924(c) Strategy: Defense strategy in such cases often focuses on challenging the “crime of violence” predicate, the nexus to interstate commerce, or the specific conduct attributed to the defendant (e.g., did they actually discharge the gun?). Plea negotiations must account for the inflexible consecutive mandatory minimums.
• Immigration Consequences: For a non-citizen like Lopez-Burgos, a federal conviction for an “aggravated felony” (which a 924(c) charge with a 10+ year sentence qualifies as) results in nearly certain deportation after the prison term, with no possibility of relief.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between “brandishing” and “discharging” a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)?

A: “Brandishing” means displaying the firearm to another person in a threatening manner. “Discharging” means firing the weapon, regardless of whether it hit anyone or anything. The law imposes a higher mandatory minimum (10 years vs. 7 years) for discharge.

Q2: Can the 924(c) sentences run at the same time (concurrently) with the robbery sentence?

A: No. By law, 924(c) sentences must run consecutively to any other sentence, including the sentence for the underlying Hobbs Act robbery. They also must run consecutively to each other if there are multiple 924(c) counts.

Q3: Why was this a federal case and not a Texas state case?

A: The robberies were charged under the Hobbs Act, which requires only a minimal effect on interstate commerce. Federal prosecutors determined the crimes met this threshold, likely because the robbed businesses used goods or services from out of state. The involvement of firearms in a crime of violence also makes it a federal priority.

Q4: What is the role of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Prisons now?

A: Following sentencing, the U.S. Marshals Service assumes custody for transport to a Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility. The BOP will assign Lopez-Burgos to a facility based on security classification, sentence length, and other factors. He will be required to serve at least 85% of his 31-year sentence before being eligible for supervised release.

Q5: Does the defendant have any appeal rights?

A: Yes. After sentencing, a defendant has the right to appeal the conviction and sentence to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Appeals often challenge the legality of the sentence, the sufficiency of the evidence for the plea, or procedural errors. However, appeals of mandatory minimum sentences under 924(c) are very limited and rarely successful unless there was a fundamental error in the proceedings.

Conclusion: A Stark Warning on Federal Firearm Penalties

The 31-year sentence for Christian Lopez-Burgos serves as a stark deterrent and a clear illustration of the federal justice system’s approach to armed violent crime. By leveraging the broad reach of the Hobbs Act and the mandatory, consecutive sentencing scheme of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), prosecutors can secure lengthy prison terms that far exceed typical state penalties for similar conduct. This case underscores that for individuals, especially non-citizens, the decision to use a firearm during a robbery triggers a cascade of federal charges with life-altering consequences, including decades of imprisonment and almost certain deportation. It also highlights the collaborative effort between federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in targeting interstate criminal enterprises that use guns to terrorize communities.

Sources and Further Reading

• U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Texas. (2026, February 5). Press Release: Honduran national sentenced to over 31 years for Central Texas armed robberies. [Official source for sentencing details and charges].
• United States Code. (2023). 18 U.S.C. § 1951 – Hobbs Act. [The full text of the federal anti-robbery statute].
• United States Code. (2023). 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) – Penalties for using firearm in crime of violence. [The statute governing mandatory minimum firearm sentences].
• U.S. Sentencing Commission. (2023). Guidelines Manual. [The official resource for federal sentencing policy, including how Hobbs Act and 924(c) charges are treated].
• Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. (2023). Hobbs Act & 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). [Provides accessible legal summaries and case law].