Illegal alien faces lengthy prison sentence after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm

SAVANNAH, Georgia: An illegal alien in possession of a firearm has been sentenced to prison in federal district court.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker, and announced by Margaret E. 'Meg' Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

Alan Castro-Hernandez, 27, of Garden City, was sentenced to 160 months in prison followed by immediate deportation after pleading guilty to two counts of being an Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm.

There is no parole in the federal system.

In March 2025, Chatham County Police responded to a shooting at the Emperors Gentlemen's Club, finding a wounded victim along with 9 mm casings at the scene. During the investigation, using surveillance video, investigators identified the suspects' vehicle and physical description.

Investigators searched Castro-Hernandez's residence and found the Glock Model 48, 9 mm pistol used in the shooting. Several additional firearms were recovered during the search.

"This defendant knew his actions were illegal, and the community is safer after the conclusion of this case," said U.S. Attorney Heap. "The teamwork and investigative skills of our law enforcement partners, including Chatham County Police Detectives Randall Noble and John Puhala, ensured this illegal alien would face justice."

Castro-Hernandez admitted to officers that he possessed the firearm and shot someone the night he was at the establishment. Castro-Hernandez also admitted to knowingly being illegally in the United States.

"When individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms choose to arm themselves and commit acts of violence, they put innocent lives at risk," said ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Waller. "ATF will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate firearms offenses, remove illegal firearms from our communities, and ensure violent offenders are brought to justice."

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Chatham County Police Department and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant United States Attorneys Kelsey L. Scanlon, Michael Spitulnik and J. Bishop Ravenel.