KANSAS CITY, MO – Omar Avila-Ramirez, 38, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today for a cascade of offenses stemming from a September traffic stop. The Mexican national, already twice deported, received 15 months without parole, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally reentering the United States and possessing a firearm as an illegal alien.
The trouble began on September 26, 2024, when Lee’s Summit, Missouri police officers pulled over a van driven by Avila-Ramirez. It quickly became apparent something wasn’t right: the van’s license plates belonged to a stolen truck. Avila-Ramirez further complicated matters by providing a false name and claiming to have no identification. The situation escalated when officers discovered a loaded Phoenix Arms HP, .22 caliber pistol in his possession – six rounds of .22 ammunition, one chambered and ready to fire.
According to court documents, Avila-Ramirez pleaded guilty on January 23, 2025, admitting to both unlawfully reentering the country after previous deportations and to the illegal possession of the firearm. His history of prior removal from the United States clearly carried weight with Judge Howard F. Sachs, who imposed the full sentence requested by the prosecution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Mahoney successfully prosecuted the case, built on the investigative work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the diligent officers of the Lee’s Summit Police Department. The investigation revealed a pattern of disregard for U.S. law and a willingness to arm himself while residing in the country illegally.
This case isn’t being treated as an isolated incident. It falls under the umbrella of “Operation Take Back America,” a sweeping federal initiative designed to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime. The operation leverages resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), signaling a heightened focus on border security and criminal enforcement.
The sentencing of Avila-Ramirez serves as a stark reminder that federal authorities are actively pursuing and prosecuting individuals who violate immigration laws and endanger public safety with illegal firearms. The 15-month sentence, while not lengthy, is coupled with supervised release, ensuring Avila-Ramirez will face continued scrutiny should he again attempt to circumvent U.S. law. Expect more aggressive enforcement under Operation Take Back America, a program that promises to be relentless in its pursuit of those who exploit the system.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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