Bloomsburg Gun Bust: Illegal Alien Gets 2 Years

⏱ 2 min read

Nelson Pineda-Chacon, 31, is trading his Bloomsburg address for a federal cell after getting two years in prison yesterday. Judge Matthew Brann handed down the sentence in Scranton after Pineda-Chacon admitted to being an illegal alien packing a loaded 9mm Beretta. The bust stemmed from a May 7th incident where cops responded to reports of gunfire at Pineda-Chacon’s home.

Turns out, Pineda-Chacon had been letting off rounds in his driveway during a fight with his wife, claiming it was a way to relieve stress. Police found spent shell casings and a bullet littered across the property, plus a stash of ammo in a truck. He then tried to hide the Beretta in his basement. Problem was, the Honduran national had been in the country illegally since 2009 and was already facing deportation. Adding a firearm charge wasn’t going to help his case.

The quick response was a joint operation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Pennsylvania State Police, and local officers from Montour and Catawissa townships. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tatum Wilson drove the prosecution, framing the case as part of the feds’ wider ‘Operation Take Back America’ – a broad effort targeting illegal immigration and related crime.

Pineda-Chacon’s defense didn’t offer much to counter the facts. A loaded gun, an illegal status, and admitted reckless behavior proved to be a losing hand. He’ll have plenty of time to reflect on his choices during his two-year stretch, and then likely face deportation proceedings once he’s finished serving his sentence.