Illegal Alien from Honduras Indicted for Violations of the Federal Gun Control Act

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OSCAR FIGUEROA-VEGA ("Figueroa-Vega"), age 19, a Honduran national, was indicted on July 16, 2026, for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.

According to the charging documents, on July 4, 2026, St. Bernard Sheriff's Office officers responded to a complaint concerning a suspicious person. At the scene, the officer encountered the defendant, FIGUEROA-VEGA, who matched the description provided. After FIGUEROA-VEGA reached into his pocket, the officer conducted a pat down search and found a .380 caliber handgun and a loaded magazine. After arresting him, immigration checks showed he was unlawfully present in the United States and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

FIGUEROA-VEGA faces up to fifteen years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. He also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, in investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro Latsis of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

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.