U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MISAEL BERNAL, age 33, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count indictment for violating the Federal Gun Control Act. Court records indicate that BERNAL was in the country illegally when he was observed by neighbors repeatedly shooting a gun into the air. Officers of the New Orleans Police Department responded to the scene and took BERNAL into custody after confiscating a 9mm handgun and ammunition. It is a violation of federal law for illegal aliens to possess firearms or ammunition.
U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced BERNAL to 12 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons. Following the completion of his sentence, BERNAL will be surrendered to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement for removal proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the agents of Homeland Security Investigations and the officers of the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
