A 20-year-old Honduran national residing illegally in Corpus Christi, Texas, has been convicted for unlawfully possessing a firearm. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the conviction of Josias Eliseo Ulloa-Pavon following an incident on February 18.
Ulloa-Pavon was driving under the influence when he crashed his vehicle. Authorities found him pinned inside the overturned car with no other vehicles nearby. He exhibited signs of intoxication, including red bloodshot eyes and an unsteady stance. After being removed from the vehicle, Ulloa-Pavon was arrested.
During a search, authorities discovered a magazine with six rounds of ammunition in his pocket. Ulloa-Pavon admitted to having a Bersa Model Thunder .380 caliber pistol in his car, which law enforcement officers subsequently seized.
In previous interactions with law enforcement, Ulloa-Pavon had acknowledged being from Honduras and not legally present in the United States.
Sentencing by U.S. District Judge David Morales is scheduled for August 27. Ulloa-Pavon could face up to 15 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. He remains in custody until sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations; and the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bird prosecuted the case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
