Department of Justice

[Greeneville, TN] - Jesus Ramos Morales, a/k/a Romero Gucca, of Morristown, Tennessee, was sentenced Monday, March 31, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville, by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, United States District Judge, to 13 months imprisonment. The sentence was the result of an earlier guilty plea by Morales to a September 11, 2007, federal indictment for possession of a firearm afer entering this country illegally.

The facts and circumstances leading to the arrest and conviction of Ramos Morales are as follows: On August 26, 2007, Sergeant Steve McBride and Deputy Sheriff Bobby Tharp of the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Department observed the defendant, Jesus Ramos Morales, hold a pistol in Hamblen County, Tennessee. The officers observed Morales throw the firearm in the parking lot where he was standing as they approached. They recovered the Stallard Arms, 9mm Luger and a box of 9mm Winchester ammunition. Special Agent Greg Moore with ATF determined the firearm and ammunition were manufactured outside the state of Tennessee. Morales admitted, and the Department of Homeland Security confirmed, that he was born in Mexico and entered this country illegally. At the time of his arrest, Ramos Morales, age 24, was living on Fish Hatchery Road in Morristown Tennessee, and was employed at a local chicken processing plant.

Law enforcement agencies leading to the arrest and conviction of Morales include the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Department , Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

For additional information, please contact United States Attorney Russ Dedrick, 865-545-4167, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Reeves, 423-639-6759, or Public Information Officer Sharry Dedman-Beard, 865-545-4167.