Manuel De Jesus Guirola-Amaya, a 20-year-old Honduran citizen without legal status in the United States, has been indicted by a federal grand jury. The charges include possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, possession of a stolen firearm, and stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee. This was announced by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Court documents reveal that on December 5, 2024, Golden Eagle Pawn in Dickson, Tennessee, experienced a burglary. Surveillance footage captured two stolen cars arriving at the shop, with one ramming into the front door. Four individuals exited the vehicles and entered the store to target several firearms displays. Within two minutes, they left with over 40 stolen firearms.
Later that day, Guirola-Amaya was stopped by a La Vergne Police Department officer due to expired registration on his vehicle. Inside the car's trunk were five pistols from the Golden Eagle Pawn burglary with price tags still attached. Another backpack in the backseat contained two more pistols reported stolen from the same store and suspected marijuana along with digital scales.
A federal search warrant executed at Guirola-Amaya's associated residence uncovered items including a high-capacity magazine and ammunition consistent with Golden Eagle Pawn price tags. Search warrants on cell phones found during his arrest revealed photographs and videos of firearms linked to the burglary.
Guirola-Amaya illegally entered the U.S. in March 2022 and lacks lawful status. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and up to 10 years each for the other charges. He also faces fines of $250,000 per count.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating this case alongside local police departments from La Vergne and Dickson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Hinkle is handling prosecution duties.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
An indictment serves as an allegation only; Guirola-Amaya remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
