The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that Nelson Geovany Pineda-Chacon, a 30-year-old from Honduras residing in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury. The charges are related to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.
Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus stated that the indictment alleges that on or about May 7, 2024, in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Pineda-Chacon, who is unlawfully present in the United States, knowingly possessed a 9mm Beretta handgun and 9mm Luger ammunition.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), with Assistant United States Attorney Tatum Wilson prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America. This nationwide initiative aims to combat illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime. It coordinates efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Under federal law, the maximum penalty for this offense includes fifteen years of imprisonment, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge after considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.
It is important to note that indictments are only allegations. All individuals charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
