Jose Marnin Perez-Perez, Firearm Possession, Louisiana 2014

A Honduran national has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for possessing a firearm in the United States illegally.

LAFAYETTE, La. — United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced the sentencing of Jose Marnin Perez-Perez, 24, of Honduras.

Perez-Perez was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik for one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

According to evidence presented at the October 23, 2014 guilty plea, a Youngsville police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Perez was traveling in on August 6, 2014.

Upon further investigation, the officer found a Hi-Point 9 mm pistol in a seat pocket where Perez was seated.

It was later learned that Perez had been deported in 2012 after a U.S. Border Patrol arrest.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which aims to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and promoting firearm safety.

The Homeland Security Investigations and the Youngsville Police Department conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/honduran-sentenced-12-months-prison-illegal-possession-firearm