NEW ORLEANS, LA – Bryan Javier PEREZ-ESPINOZA, a 33-year-old Honduran national, is facing a lengthy federal sentence after admitting to illegally re-entering the United States and possessing a firearm. The guilty plea, entered August 13, 2025, brings a case fueled by the Department of Justice’s aggressive “Operation Take Back America” initiative closer to resolution.
According to court documents, PEREZ-ESPINOZA was discovered in Orleans Parish on March 23, 2024. This wasn’t his first encounter with US immigration authorities. He had been previously deported to Honduras on September 30, 2022, making his presence in the country a clear violation of federal law. The discovery wasn’t just about his illegal status; authorities also found him in possession of a firearm, adding another serious charge to his rap sheet.
PEREZ-ESPINOZA pleaded guilty to reentry of a removed alien, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a) (Count 1). He also admitted to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5)(A) and 924(a)(8) (Count 2). The combination of these charges paints a picture of a defendant actively disregarding US law and potentially posing a threat to public safety.
The potential penalties are substantial. For the re-entry charge (Count One), PEREZ-ESPINOZA faces a maximum of 2 years of imprisonment, up to 1 year of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. However, the firearm charge (Count Two) carries a far heavier weight: a maximum of 15 years imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release, another potential $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Combined, he could face up to 17 years behind bars.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson framed the case within the larger context of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide effort described as marshaling “the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” The operation streamlines resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Simpson specifically praised the work of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution. The case serves as a stark reminder of the federal government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and cracking down on individuals illegally possessing firearms, particularly those with prior deportation orders. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as sentencing approaches.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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