Reported / Citable
McALLEN, Texas – A 21-year-old Mexican national has been indicted for allegedly providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Jose Flores-Flores of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, remains in custody following his arrest. A federal grand jury returned the superseding indictment, and he is expected to appear for arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker in the near future.
“Thanks to President Trump designating certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, federal law enforcement now has a whole new arsenal of legal tools to dismantle their activities,” said U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz. “Flores-Flores in just one defendant today. But under the leadership of President Trump and Attorney General Blanche, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas is on the very forefront of Making America Safe Again through the destruction and dismantling of these terrorist cartels.
According to the charges, authorities encountered Flores-Flores near Mission July 10. A records check allegedly revealed authorities had previously removed him from the United States earlier this year.
The indictment further alleges Flores-Flores was an active member of the Gulf Cartel for more than a year. He allegedly provided services including personnel, regional protection and enforcement, law enforcement countersurveillance, and disposal of human remains.
Flores-Flores allegedly worked nights maintaining an assigned sector in Reynosa. He also conducted countersurveillance against the Mexican military and law enforcement.
According to the indictment, Flores-Flores received names or photographs of individuals targeted for kidnapping. He allegedly kidnapped those individuals and delivered them to higher-ranking cartel members.
The indictment also alleges Flores-Flores dismembered at least two victims on the outskirts of Reynosa after they ran afoul of the Gulf Cartel.
The United States designated the Gulf Cartel, also known as Cartel del Golfo, as a foreign terrorist organization Feb. 20, 2025. According to the Department of State, the northeast Mexico-based cartel is involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, human smuggling, and other illicit activities. They also use violence, including assassinations of civilians and government officials, to intimidate the public and control territory.
If convicted, Flores-Flores faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Border Patrol and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin Walker and Avery Benitez are prosecuting the case.
A recording of the press conference announcing the indictment is available on YouTube at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/VNE8hvY3cns?feature=share .
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Southern District of Texas — U.S. Department of Justice press release.