Illegal Alien from Venezuela Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm (DOJ)

Gainesville, Florida - Robinson Abrahan Esparragoza Regalado, 26, a Venezuelan national, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the plea.

United States Attorney Heekin said: "Operation Take Back America was launched by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to devote the full might of the Department of Justice toward removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from our communities. This successful prosecution delivers on that goal, and we will continue aggressively prosecuting dangerous aliens like this defendant to ensure our citizens have the safe streets they deserve."

Court documents reflect that on November 25, 2025, Esparragoza Regalado was in possession of a 9mm pistol equipped with a 33-round extended magazine, which was almost fully loaded with ammunition. The firearm was located during a traffic stop on Interstate 75. Esparragoza Regalado is illegally present in the United States, and was therefore prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

Esparragoza Regalado faces up to 15 years' imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Esparragoza Regalado is also likely to be deported at the conclusion of serving his sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Gainesville, Florida before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.

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.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.