Honduras Illegal Alien Sentenced To 24 Months In Prison For Illegal Possession Of A Firearm

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nelson Geovany Pineda-Chacon, age 31, an alien illegally residing in the United States, was sentenced yesterday to 24 months' imprisonment by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for illegal possession of a firearm.

According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on May 7, 2024, authorities responded to Pineda-Chacon's residence in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pennsylvania for a report of "shots fired." Upon arrival, officers located three spent 9-millimeter shell casings and a 9-millimeter bullet in Pineda-Chacon's driveway. Additional 9-millimeter ammunition was located in a truck parked in the driveway. During an interview with law enforcement, Pineda-Chacon admitted to getting into an argument with his spouse and discharging a firearm several times into the ground to "relieve stress." Pineda-Chacon admitted to hiding the firearm in his basement. Officers seized a loaded 9-millimeter Beretta handgun from the basement of Pineda-Chacon's home. As an alien illegally living in the United States, Pineda-Chacon was ineligible to possess a firearm.

Pineda-Chacon is a citizen and national of Honduras. In 2009, Pineda-Chacon illegally entered the United States. At the time of the offense, he was in removal proceedings.

The investigation was conducted by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Montour Township Police Department, and the Catawissa Police Department. The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tatum Wilson.

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.

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