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 on Mar. 12.
The cases highlight ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address alleged illegal possession of firearms and unlawful reentry into the country by non-citizens. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is investigating all cases mentioned.
Court documents state 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, and Edy Adolfo Pacheco-Arita, 40, both Guatemalan nationals; and Delfino Rojas-Morgas, 48, a Mexican national. All are charged with unlawful reentry after deportation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jabari Wamble and Ola Odeyemi are prosecuting these cases.
Authorities emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
