The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland has announced indictments against five individuals on charges related to illegal aliens in possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as firearms trafficking. The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.
The defendants include Vielman Cabrera Arevalo, 20, from Guatemala; Erick Lozano Colindrez, 23, from Honduras; Ludwin Fuentes Lopez, 22, from El Salvador; Lester Araely Ramos Perez, 28; and Milton Leon-Morales, 27—both from Guatemala. They face various charges including Alien in Possession of a Firearm and/or Ammunition and Firearms Trafficking.
These indictments are part of Operation Take Back America, a national initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime.
The announcement was made alongside several law enforcement officials: Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI – Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division (ATF); Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS); Chief Robert McCullough of the Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD); and Chief Jason Lando of the Frederick Police Department (FPD).
According to the indictments, all five individuals are unlawfully present in the United States. Ramos Perez and Leon-Morales allegedly conspired to ship over 35 firearms on January 22, 2025. They also face charges related to dealing firearms without a license and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Law enforcement found Arevalo with two rounds of CBC 9mm Luger ammunition on December 14, 2023. Lopez was found with a black Polymer 80 firearm and ammunition on July 20, 2024. Colindrez was discovered with a Johnson Arms & Cycle Works .32 caliber revolver along with approximately 23 rounds of ammunition on November 15, 2024.
If convicted, Ramos Perez and Leon-Morales could face up to 15 years for firearms trafficking charges alone among other penalties totaling potentially decades behind bars. Arevalo, Colindrez, and Lopez each face up to 15 years if convicted.
An indictment is an allegation that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court before any defendant can be deemed guilty.
This case is also linked to Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which seeks to reduce violent crime through community collaboration and strategic law enforcement efforts.
U.S. Attorney Hayes praised HSI Baltimore; the FBI; ATF; DPSCS; BCoPD; FPD for their roles in these investigations and acknowledged Kenneth Clark from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for his leadership along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Beim, Kim Hagan, and Jamie O’Donohue who are handling prosecution duties.
For more details about ongoing initiatives or resources available through the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office visit their official website.
