Two Texans charged with illegal arms trafficking

Two Texas men were charged and arrested on suspicion of illegal arms trafficking, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

Ronin Michael Rhoades, 24, of Georgetown, and Tristan James Banda, 42, of Pflugerville, were charged with unlawful trafficking of weapons, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas.

Rhoades is additionally charged with conspiracy to traffic in weapons and making sham purchases of weapons. Prosecutors allege he was involved in the trafficking of various weapons, including AR and AK rifles, FN SCAR rifles, pistols and a .50 caliber rifle.

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Rhoades was arrested on August 1. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison for firearms trafficking, 25 years for sham purchases and five years for illicit trafficking.

Banda, who was arrested on August 14, faces up to five years in prison if convicted of illegal arms trafficking.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the cases.

If convicted, the sentence will be determined by a federal judge, taking into account sentencing guidelines and other factors.