Jairon Odair Pineda-Gomez, Firearms, Texas 2024

HOUSTON – In a shocking turn of events, 23-year-old Jairon Odair Pineda-Gomez, a Honduran citizen living in Houston, pleaded guilty to two federal felonies: illegally re-entering the country and unlawfully possessing a firearm. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Pineda-Gomez, an alleged member of the 18th Street gang, was first arrested in January 2021 for illegally re-entering the country. Despite being released on bond, he cut off his ankle monitor and absconded while charges were pending. He was eventually arrested again in September 2022 for violating his bond conditions.

During the second arrest, authorities discovered a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol in Pineda-Gomez's backpack. Further investigation revealed that he had pointed the pistol at multiple people, including a 9-year-old child, in July 2022. Surveillance footage also showed Pineda-Gomez shooting a gun in the air.

U.S. Marshals Service and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation into Pineda-Gomez's activities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Bauman is prosecuting the case.

Pineda-Gomez's sentencing is set for June 21, where he faces up to 15 years in prison for the firearms conviction. He also faces an additional two years for the illegal re-entry charge, as well as a possible maximum fine of $250,000.

Pineda-Gomez has been and will remain in custody pending the sentencing hearing. His actions have raised concerns about the dangers posed by gang members and undocumented immigrants with firearms.

As the investigation continues, residents of Houston are left wondering how Pineda-Gomez was able to evade authorities for so long. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of effective law enforcement and immigration policies.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant's name: Jairon Odair Pineda-Gomez. Exact criminal charges: illegally re-entering the country and unlawfully possessing a firearm. City and state: Houston, Texas. Date: January 2021 (arrest) and September 2022 (second arrest). Sentence or outcome: Pineda-Gomez faces up to 17 years in prison and a possible maximum fine of $250,000.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/honduran-citizen-admits-two-federal-felonies