WESLACO – Seven Rio Grande Valley residents were sentenced to federal prison for straw purchasing guns to sell to Mexican cartels.

Six McAllen residents and one woman from Penitas pleaded guilty.

ATF agents testified at the trial. They said the defendants purchased and recruited others to buy more than 100 weapons throughout the Valley.

The weapons were allegedly then illegally exported to Mexico.

At least 14 of the sold guns have been recovered at the other side of the border.

One of the ring leaders, 24-year-old Jesus Alberto Murillo was sentenced to more than nine years. The other, 22-year-old Rene Hernandez was sentenced to six years.