Juan Santos Perez-Zavala, Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm, Louisiana 2020

New Orleans, Louisiana - Juan Santos Perez-Zavala, a 25-year-old native of Mexico, was sentenced to time served for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Perez-Zavala, who has been incarcerated since April 2019, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter on May 26, 2020, to credit for time served.

According to court documents, Perez-Zavala was an illegal alien in possession of a firearm on April 16, 2019, found in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Court documents also alleged that he illegally possessed a Keltec model P11 9 millimeter pistol.

Perez-Zavala faced a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release. He will be turned over to federal immigration authorities for deportation to Mexico.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, and 22nd Judicial District Attorney Warren Montgomery in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

Perez-Zavala's indictment charged him with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A).

This case is a reminder of the importance of enforcing our nation's immigration laws and the consequences of possessing a firearm as an illegal alien.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/mexican-man-sentenced-being-illegal-alien-possession-firearm