Texan jailed in Mexico for 9 months after accidental border crossing with guns

A routine trip turned into a nightmare when a young Texan’s wrong turn landed him in a Mexican prison. Now, lawmakers demand answers—and his freedom.

, and Administrator

2025 November 27 . 1:05 AM

1 min read

In this image we can see a boy. He is wearing a jacket and there is a cap on his head. Here we can... — In this image we can see a boy. He is wearing a jacket and there is a cap on his head. Here we can see the metal block fence. Here we can see the graffiti on the wall.

Texan jailed in Mexico for 9 months after accidental border crossing with guns

A 23-year-old East Texan, Caden Hawkins, has been imprisoned in Mexico for nearly nine months after accidentally crossing the border with legally purchased firearms. Texas state Representative Jay Dean is now pushing for his release, arguing that Hawkins’ detention has dragged on far longer than a similar case in 2013. Hawkins was arrested near the New Mexico border when he unintentionally entered Mexico with firearms he had legally bought in the U.S. Mexican law prohibits non-citizens from possessing such weapons, leading to his detention in Juarez. His family has spent over $1,000 weekly to cover his basic needs in prison. Hawkins’ imprisonment continues as diplomatic pressure grows for his release. His family’s financial strain and legal struggles highlight the challenges faced by Americans detained abroad under similar circumstances. The case now rests on further intervention from U.S. and Mexican officials.