A Guatemalan national, Joel Guerra Eraso, 41, was sentenced in Norfolk, Virginia to eight years and ten months in prison for illegally reentering the United States and possessing a firearm as an illegal alien. This sentence is in addition to the two and a half years he has already served.
Court documents state that Guerra Eraso was removed from the United States in 2013 but later returned unlawfully. On August 30, 2023, he attempted to force his wife into sex. When she refused due to back pain, he became angry, restrained her, and assaulted her. He then placed a firearm to her head and pulled the trigger twice; the gun did not fire. He subsequently fired the weapon at a pillow, hitting his wife's phone.
While incarcerated, Guerra Eraso violated a protective order by contacting his wife through other inmates. On July 22, 2024, he pleaded guilty in Northampton County to several charges: attempted first degree murder, use of a firearm in committing a violent felony, maliciously shooting in a dwelling, assault and battery of a family or household member, brandishing a firearm, reckless handling of a firearm, and misdemeanor destruction of property.
Guerra Eraso also has prior convictions for possession of cocaine and reckless handling of a firearm related to an incident where he fired shots inside his residence while intoxicated as his wife hid in a closet.
He remains subject to removal from the United States.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Washington, D.C., and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton D. LaForge.
"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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-40.
