Romanian National Arrested For Possession Of A Firearm By An Alien Unlawfully In The United States (DOJ)

Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Andrei Saplacan (35, Tampa) with possessing a firearm as an alien unlawfully in the United States. If convicted, Saplacan faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

According to the complaint, earlier this month, Saplacan attempted to purchase a firearm from a local Federal Firearms Licensee. Saplacan incorrectly answered one of the questions on the form regarding his immigration status, failing to disclose that he had been admitted to United States under a non-immigrant visa. Saplacan's application to purchase the firearm was denied.

Further investigation revealed that Saplacan entered the United States in September of 2014 on an H2B visa with authorization to remain in the United States until June 10, 2015, and has overstayed for nearly 10 years. As such, he is prohibited from legally purchasing or possessing a firearm or ammunition.

A search warrant was executed at Saplacan's home on April 21, 2025. In Saplacan's bedroom, law enforcement located five firearms, various rounds of ammunition, a gas mask, and bullet proof vest.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.

A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).