OKLAHOMA CITY – A desperate flight from Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers landed LUIS MEJIA-ALAS, 30, of El Salvador, with a 20-month federal prison sentence. The case, announced by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester, highlights the ongoing battle against illegal firearms and those who attempt to evade justice.
The incident unfolded on January 29, 2025, when an OHP trooper attempted a traffic stop on a pickup truck near NW 10th Street. Instead of complying, the driver – later identified as Mejia-Alas – floored it, initiating a brief but reckless high-speed pursuit. The chase ended with a crash into a shopping center’s cart return, but Mejia-Alas wasn’t done running. He bailed from the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, only to be quickly apprehended by responding officers.
A search of the wrecked truck revealed the source of the urgency: a firearm tucked away on the floorboard. This discovery immediately escalated the situation, leading to a federal Grand Jury indictment on March 18, 2025, charging Mejia-Alas with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. The stakes were high; federal law strictly prohibits individuals unlawfully present in the United States from possessing weapons.
Mejia-Alas didn’t contest the charges. On June 3, 2025, he entered a guilty plea, openly admitting both his illegal status in the U.S. and his possession of the firearm. This admission paved the way for the September 23, 2025, sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton. Judge Heaton, clearly unimpressed with the defendant’s actions, handed down the 20-month sentence, citing the severity and circumstances of the offense.
The investigation was a joint effort between Homeland Security Investigations and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, demonstrating a unified front against criminal activity. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nichols, Jr., skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring accountability for Mejia-Alas’s actions. This conviction is not an isolated incident, but part of a larger national initiative known as Operation Take Back America.
Operation Take Back America is a sweeping Department of Justice program designed to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and safeguard communities from violent crime. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who break the law, particularly with firearms, will face the full force of federal prosecution. Further details can be found in public court filings.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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