Dallas City Wire

A Fort Worth man, previously on deferred adjudication for his involvement in a fatal heroin overdose case, now faces federal gun charges. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District, Leigha Simonton, announced that Brennan Trainor Rodriguez, aged 33, was charged in a two-count indictment for illegal possession of a machinegun and illegal receipt of a firearm by an individual under indictment.

Court records reveal that Rodriguez was initially charged on June 7, 2013, for injecting heroin into a 21-year-old man who died from an overdose. He admitted to causing the man's death and began a 10-year deferred adjudication on November 26, 2014. During this period, he was prohibited from possessing firearms.

On August 6, 2024, law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance call from Rodriguez's former girlfriend. She reported that he had been stalking and harassing her following their breakup and noted his frequent use of firearms, including one capable of fully automatic fire.

Rodriguez was arrested the following week on stalking charges. A subsequent search of his home led to the discovery of nine firearms, among them a Smith & Wesson rifle with a machinegun conversion device known as a "switch" or "auto sear."

An indictment is not evidence but an allegation of criminal conduct. Rodriguez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted of these gun crimes, he could face up to ten years in federal prison.

Rodriguez’s state court cases are still pending.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division – Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen is prosecuting the case.