A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned two separate indictments involving firearms against Honduran nationals illegally residing in the United States, according to a statement released Mar. 12.
The cases highlight ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address firearm possession and unlawful reentry offenses involving non-citizens. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating all of the cases mentioned.
Court documents show that Joni Javier Claro-Rivera, 30, was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and one count of illegal possession of a machine gun. Claro-Rivera is accused of possessing four firearms and ammunition. In a separate case, Francisco Perez-Perez, 51, was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and is accused of having two firearms and ammunition. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting both cases.
Other indictments announced include Jose Manuel Garcia-Cartagena, 45, an El Salvadorian national; Julio Cesar Lopez-Cruz, 33; Edy Adolfo Pacheco-Arita, 40; and Delfino Rojas-Morgas, 48. All are charged with unlawful reentry after deportation. ICE is investigating these cases as well. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jabari Wamble and Ola Odeyemi are prosecuting the respective cases.
Authorities remind the public that an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
