Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Honduran national residing illegally in Corpus Christi, Texas, has been convicted for unlawfully possessing a firearm. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the conviction of 20-year-old Josias Eliseo Ulloa-Pavon.
Ulloa-Pavon was driving under the influence when he crashed on February 18. Authorities found him pinned inside his overturned vehicle with no other cars nearby. He exhibited signs of intoxication, including red eyes and an unsteady stance, and was arrested at the scene.
During a search, authorities discovered a magazine with six rounds of ammunition in Ulloa-Pavon's pocket. He admitted to having a Bersa Model Thunder .380 caliber pistol in his car, which law enforcement seized.
Previously, Ulloa-Pavon had acknowledged to law enforcement that he was from Honduras and not legally present in the United States.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 27 by U.S. District Judge David Morales. Ulloa-Pavon faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a possible fine of up to $250,000. He remains in custody until sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bird prosecuted the case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
