Robert J. "Bob" Troester U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
LUIS MEJIA-ALAS, a 30-year-old citizen of El Salvador, has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm while being in the United States illegally. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to court records, the incident began on January 29, 2025, when an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop Mejia-Alas's pickup truck on NW 10th Street in Oklahoma City. Mejia-Alas fled from law enforcement at high speed before crashing into a cart return cage in a shopping center parking lot. He then left the vehicle and tried to escape on foot but was apprehended shortly afterward. Authorities found a firearm on the floorboard of his truck.
On March 18, 2025, a federal Grand Jury indicted Mejia-Alas for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty on June 3, 2025, admitting both his possession of the weapon and his unlawful presence in the United States.
At his sentencing hearing held on September 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton imposed a sentence of 20 months' imprisonment. Judge Heaton referenced "the nature and circumstances of the offense" when delivering the sentence.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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," according to information released by authorities.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nichols, Jr., prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
