MONROE, La. - Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a man from Mexico pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a rifle.
Gerardo C. Rodriguez, 53, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Union Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbing-the-peace call on Dec. 11, 2016 in Bernice, La. The deputies found Rodriguez intoxicated, arrested him and towed his vehicle. Deputies noticed a gunshot wound in his leg. Rodriguez told deputies in an interview the next day that he had shot himself with a.22 caliber pistol while drinking heavily. He also told deputies that he owned the Savage rifle (Model 110E in.270 caliber), which was seized from his vehicle. He admitted to reentering the United States illegally and possessing the rifle as a convicted felon. Rodriguez was removed to Mexico on Dec. 21, 2004 as an aggravated felon.
Rodriguez faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for April 11, 2017.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
