Federal grand juries in Bowling Green and Paducah indict 10 illegal aliens for immigration and other federal offenses (DOJ)

Bowling Green and Paducah, KY - Federal grand juries in Bowling Green and Paducah, Kentucky, returned indictments on August 11 and 12, 2026, charging ten illegal aliens with federal charges. The charges included illegal reentry after deportation or removal, possessing a firearm as an illegal alien, and use of a false passport.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations Nashville, Sam Olson, Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago, U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement, and Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division made the announcement.

According to the indictments:

Juan Jose Ochoa-Avila, age 45, a citizen of Honduras, was charged in Paducah with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents and testimony, Ochoa-Avila purchased and possessed a 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun between March and June of 2026 in Graves County, Kentucky. The Mayfield Police Department recovered the firearm from Ochoa-Avila's residence in connection with another investigation. Ochoa-Avila left Kentucky and was arrested in South Carolina after learning of the investigation. Court records show that Ochoa-Avila was convicted of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien in 2008 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. After his conviction, he was deported to Honduras. Ochoa-Avila unlawfully returned to the United States and, in 2011, was convicted of Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Ochoa-Avila was again deported from the United States in 2015. Court records also show that Ochoa-Avila is wanted on a Murder warrant out of Honduras issued in 2019 and is the subject of an Interpol red notice. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. This case is being investigated by ATF, HSI, and the Mayfield Police Department, with assistance from the Anderson County Sheriff's Department in South Carolina.

Noel Carbajal-Panfilo, age 52, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Bowling Green with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and reentry after deportation or removal. On or about May 2, 2026, Carbajal-Panfilo was an alien found in the in United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about February 19, 2003, and July 17, 2001. Additionally, Carbajal-Panfilo possessed seven firearms as an illegal alien. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI.

Nicolas Hernandez-Vargas, age 48, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Bowling Green with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and reentry after deportation or removal. On or about July 30, 2026, Hernandez-Vargas was an alien found in the in United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about April 3, 2009, and August 6, 2015. Additionally, Hernandez-Vargas possessed a shotgun as an illegal alien. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI and ICE-ERO.

Cesar Yoc-Coronado, age 29, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged in Bowling Green with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about July 18, 2026, Yoc-Coronado was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about August 23, 2017, and September 10, 2019. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by ICE-ERO.

Misael Hernandez Romero, age 35, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about July 24, 2026, Hernandez Romero was an alien found in United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about March 29, 2012, and June 5, 2017. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI and ICE-ERO.

Errson Lopez Gomez, age 39, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about July 11, 2026, Lopez Gomez was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about March 1, 2017. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI and ICE-ERO.

Candelario Pastor-Gonzalez, age 31, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about July 21, 2026, Pastor-Gonzalez was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about July 12, 2017, and August 4, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI and ICE-ERO.

Mario Rodriguez-Gonzalez, age 58, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about August 3, 2026, Rodriguez-Gonzalez was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about May 13, 2004. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI and ICE-ERO.

Samuel Chavez-Nunez, 44, a citizen Mexico, was charged in Bowling Green with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about July 28, 2026, Chavez-Nunez was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about March 23, 2012, and August 16, 2006. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI and ICE-ERO.

German Neri-Ibanez, 36, a citizen Mexico, was charged in Bowling Green with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about July 23, 2026, Neri-Ibanez was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about December 22, 2016; December 19, 2016; November 5, 2016; November 19, 2013; and December 14, 2009. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI and ICE-ERO.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, "Just this week, our Office obtained ten federal indictments against illegal aliens that refuse to obey our country's law and sovereignty. Some of these defendants have been charged with reentering our country illegally after having been previously removed. Others have been charged with purchasing and possessing firearms while unlawfully present. No matter the offense, the conduct alleged in the indictments demonstrates an unwillingness to follow the laws of our land."

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. Yurchisin II, and R. Nicholas Rabold, of the U.S. Attorney's Bowling Green Branch Office, and Seth Hancock and Raymond McGee, of the U.S. Attorney's Paducah Branch Office, are prosecuting the cases.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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