Man sentenced in gun trafficking case

TYLER — A Michigan man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after admitting he conspired to illegally purchase firearms from a Tyler gun shop and planned to transport them to Mexico for sale, according to federal prosecutors and our news partner KETK.

Caleb Timothy Fox, 34, was sentenced Monday to 41 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted firearms trafficking conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas announced. According to court records, on March 10, 2025, Fox recruited another person to act as a “straw purchaser” to buy six firearms on his behalf from a federally licensed gun dealer in Tyler.

Federal prosecutors said the purchase was delayed, and Fox later admitted to investigators that he knew he could not legally buy the firearms in Texas because he was not a Texas resident.

Investigators said Fox also confessed that he planned to illegally transport the guns to Oaxaca, where he had arranged to sell them. Authorities said investigators later uncovered text messages on Fox’s cellphone that supported the plan, including messages discussing trading firearms for drugs.

A search of Fox’s vehicle also turned up another firearm and illegal drugs, including cocaine base and fentanyl, according to prosecutors.

Federal officials said the investigation was conducted as part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration, transnational criminal organizations and violent crime.