Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Oscar Cruz-Baldo, a 40-year-old Mexican national, has pled guilty in federal court to charges of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being unlawfully present in the United States. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “The aggressive prosecution and removal of violent illegal aliens is central to the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America. My office is committed to working with our dedicated law enforcement partners to fulfill that promise, and as a result, we are making our communities safer.”
According to court documents, Cruz-Baldo entered the U.S. without inspection or authorization from an immigration officer. On February 12, 2025, he was involved in a domestic violence incident in Williston, Florida. The victim reported that Cruz-Baldo threatened her and her dog with a loaded shotgun. Levy County Deputies arrested him at the scene and found the loaded weapon on the property.
Cruz-Baldo could face up to fifteen years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and deportation from the U.S.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is set for September 30, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), which utilizes resources from various Department of Justice initiatives aimed at addressing illegal immigration and violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices nationwide serving under the direction of the Attorney General. For access to public court documents online or more information about this office's work visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
