Jesus Delather Corona, Gun & Immigration Crimes, Wisconsin 2023

FORT ATKINSON, WI – Jesus Delather Corona, 32, is facing serious federal charges after allegedly being found with a loaded 9mm pistol while already illegally back in the United States. The bust, which occurred December 19, 2022, is the latest example of firearms landing in the hands of those with no legal right to possess them, raising concerns about public safety in the Fort Atkinson area.

Corona, a citizen of Mexico, is accused of illegally reentering the country after a previous removal. He now faces a two-pronged federal indictment: one count of illegal reentry, carrying a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison, and a second charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years. The indictment doesn’t specify the prior felony conviction.

The case originated with a swift response from the Fort Atkinson Police Department, who initially encountered Corona. The investigation quickly escalated, drawing in federal resources from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The multi-agency cooperation highlights the growing emphasis on coordinated efforts to combat both immigration violations and gun violence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma will be prosecuting the case in the Western District of Wisconsin. The government maintains that Corona was found to be unlawfully present in the U.S. and, simultaneously, in possession of the 9mm pistol – a combination that prosecutors will argue demonstrates a clear and present danger to the community. A trial date has not yet been set.

Federal officials are framing the prosecution as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence nationwide. The program emphasizes building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention groups, and focusing enforcement efforts on the most pressing threats. This case, they claim, exemplifies the PSN strategy in action.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the federal court system. Corona remains in custody pending further legal proceedings. As with all criminal cases, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The full indictment was returned by a grand jury sitting in Madison, Wisconsin on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

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