JACKSON, MS – Tommy Pineda-Guevara, 20, a citizen of Honduras, is headed to federal prison for two years after being convicted of possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. The case, originating from a routine traffic stop on September 1, 2022, highlights the ATF’s ongoing efforts to keep weapons out of the hands of those legally barred from owning them.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol initially pulled Pineda-Guevara over. During the stop, officers discovered he was carrying a firearm. Crucially, federal law explicitly prohibits individuals who are not U.S. citizens or nationals from possessing firearms. Pineda-Guevara’s status as a Honduran national immediately made him ineligible, triggering the federal charges.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi didn’t mince words when announcing the sentence. “This conviction underscores our commitment to enforcing federal firearms laws and ensuring public safety,” he stated. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam T. Stuart skillfully prosecuted the case, presenting evidence that led to Pineda-Guevara’s conviction and subsequent sentencing. The relatively swift resolution – less than 18 months from the initial traffic stop to sentencing – demonstrates the efficiency of the federal legal system when dealing with firearms violations.
This case isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of the broader Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. PSN focuses on targeting the most dangerous offenders and partnering with local organizations to provide both enforcement and reentry programs, attempting to address the root causes of crime.
While two years may seem a modest sentence, federal officials say it sends a clear message: illegally possessing a firearm carries serious consequences. The ATF and its partners will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute these cases, aiming to curb gun violence and protect communities across Mississippi and the nation. The New Orleans Field Division of HSI played a key role in the investigation.
Related Federal Cases
- Tony D. Crawford, Illegal Firearm Possession, MS 2024 · Pennsylvania
- John Howard Murray, Illegal Firearm Possession, MS 2023 · Virginia
- Charles Brown Jr, Illegal Firearm Possession, MS 2024 · Wyoming
- Kenneth Blakeney, Illegal Firearm Possession, PA 2019 · Virginia
- Jesse Lee Fish, Illegal Firearm Possession, Oklahoma 2024 · Oklahoma
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