A Honduran national has been sentenced in New Orleans federal court for illegal possession of a firearm. Jhosmy Josue Perez-Alvarez, 24, was given a 20-month prison term by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey on August 26, 2025. The sentencing follows his conviction under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5)(A) and 924(a)(8), which prohibits individuals unlawfully present in the United States from possessing firearms.
According to court records, Perez-Alvarez was found with a Glock nine-millimeter handgun on January 2, 2025. He admitted to being unlawfully present in the country at the time of the offense and acknowledged that his status prevented him from legally possessing a firearm.
In addition to the prison sentence, Perez-Alvarez received two years of supervised release and must pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. After serving his sentence, he will be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation proceedings to Honduras.
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, described as "a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson credited U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations along with the New Orleans Police Department for their investigative work in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis led the prosecution.
