HUNTINGTON W.Va. - A Mexican national who was in the United States illegally and caught in possession of.40 caliber ammunition was sentenced to time served, or six months and 17 days, in federal prison today, according to United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Juan Martin Sotelo-Rodriguez, 26, previously pled guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of ammunition.
“Sotelo-Rodriguez illegally entered our country only to further violate our laws," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “My advice to him is that if he wants to come to the United States, he needs to follow the legal process to do so and while he is here, he must follow all of our laws."
On Oct. 25, 2019, Sotelo-Rodriguez was operating a car on Beechwood Drive in Huntington when he was stopped by a patrol officer with the Huntington Police Department. During the stop, Sotelo-Rodriguez was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for driving under the influence. Officers then located and seized multiple rounds of.40 caliber ammunition laying in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Sotelo-Rodriguez admitted that he possessed the ammunition. Sotelo-Rodriguez also admitted that he was a citizen of Mexico and not a citizen or national of the United States, that he was illegally and unlawfully present in the United States, and therefore, was prohibited from possessing ammunition.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentenced. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-00041.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
