Jose Daniel Molina, Illegal Firearm Possession, Louisiana 2018

Jose Daniel Molina, 36, of Veracruz, Mexico, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a revolver and a shotgun in Duson, Louisiana. The conviction follows a December 2018 incident where shots were fired near a residential area, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement.

Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the intersection of Dwayne Road and Tunica Lane after receiving reports of gunfire. They found Molina’s vehicle parked at the scene. A Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun was in plain view in the backseat. Ten feet from the driver’s side window, officers recovered a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver loaded with three live rounds and three spent casings scattered on the ground.

Molina was taken into custody and later interviewed by Homeland Security agents. During questioning, he admitted to possessing both firearms. He also confessed to illegally entering the United States in 2000, confirming his status as a deported alien under federal law.

The illegal possession of firearms by a non-citizen is a serious federal offense. Molina pleaded guilty to the charge on January 29, 2019, in U.S. District Court. U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter handed down the 12-month sentence, emphasizing the dangers of armed individuals in communities.

The investigation was a joint effort by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Their collaboration led to the swift identification and prosecution of Molina.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. United States Attorney David C. Joseph confirmed the outcome, underscoring the federal commitment to removing illegal weapons from the streets and holding armed offenders accountable.

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