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Joel L. Ayala-Rivera, a 22-year-old Honduran national, was convicted of possessing a firearm as an illegal alien in Richmond, VA. On April 15, 2024, Ayala-Rivera sold a handgun to an undercover FBI agent at an apartment in Richmond. As an illegal alien, Ayala-Rivera is prohibited from possessing firearms. He had previously crossed the border unlawfully as an unaccompanied juvenile in 2016 and was again encountered by Border Patrol in Texas in February 2023.
Ayala-Rivera’s troubled history with immigration authorities began in 2016 when he was placed in removal proceedings after crossing the border. He was released from custody to his mother’s care but was again taken into custody by Border Patrol in 2023. An immigration judge released him from detention on a cash bond in May 2023.
The FBI’s Richmond Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Richmond Police Department. Ayala-Rivera faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced on August 25. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime.
Ayala-Rivera’s conviction is a significant blow to those who seek to exploit the nation’s immigration system. The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating crime and protecting communities. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela Mastandrea and Patrick J. McGorman are prosecuting the case.
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