Jose Merced Sanchez De La Torre, Gun and Immigration Offenses, Florida 2020

OCALA, FL – In a harsh blow to those who think they can skirt the law, Jose Merced Sanchez De La Torre, a 43-year-old Ocala resident, has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for his involvement in gun and immigration offenses.

Sanchez De La Torre, who is also known as an illegal alien, was found to be in possession of three firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, and a large amount of ammunition at a residence in Ocala. This is a serious violation of federal law, as both an illegal alien and a convicted felon, Sanchez De La Torre is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

The investigation, which was a collaborative effort between the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, uncovered a complex web of gun and immigration crimes. On August 31, 2020, the FBI received a tip that a residence in Ocala contained illegal aliens and firearms, leading to a thorough search of the premises.

It was discovered that Sanchez De La Torre had previously been deported from the United States in 2015, following federal convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm (an aggravated felony) and seven counts of structuring financial transactions. This history of gun and immigration crimes made him a prime target for law enforcement agencies.

Sanchez De La Torre pleaded guilty to the charges on September 24, 2020, and has now been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison. This sentence serves as a stark reminder that those who engage in gun and immigration crimes will be held accountable for their actions.

The case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes.

For more information on Project Guardian, visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian. This case is a prime example of the importance of collaborative law enforcement efforts in preventing and prosecuting gun and immigration crimes.

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