Jose Daniel Molina, Unlawful Firearms Possession, Louisiana 2024

LAFAYETTE, La. – Jose Daniel Molina, 36, a citizen of Mexico, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 12 months for illegally possessing firearms in Lafayette Parish. U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter handed down the sentence today, closing a case stemming from a late-night shooting call in Duson, Louisiana.

The trouble began on December 2, 2018, when Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of gunfire. They located Molina’s vehicle parked at the intersection of Dwayne Road and Tunica Lane. It didn’t take long for deputies to find more than just a parked car. A Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun was immediately visible in plain sight in the backseat.

The search didn’t stop there. Officers discovered a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver lying on the ground approximately 10 feet from the driver’s side window of Molina’s vehicle. Three live rounds and three spent casings were found near the weapon, suggesting recent use. Molina was quickly apprehended and taken into custody.

During questioning by Homeland Security agents, Molina admitted to possessing both firearms. He also confessed to illegally entering the United States back in 2000. His status as an undocumented immigrant compounded the severity of the weapons charges. He pleaded guilty to the federal charge on January 29, 2019, acknowledging his wrongdoing.

United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced the sentencing, emphasizing the commitment of federal agencies to cracking down on illegal firearms possession, especially by those unlawfully present in the country. “This case demonstrates our dedication to ensuring public safety and holding accountable those who violate federal law,” Joseph stated.

The investigation was a joint effort by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and subsequent 12-month sentence for Jose Daniel Molina. The case serves as a stark reminder that possessing firearms while illegally in the United States carries serious consequences.