Mexican National Charged with Illegal Possession of a Firearm

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ERIC de JESUS MENDOZA-MARTINEZ, age 19, from Honduras, was charged today in a one-count Indictment with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

According to the Indictment, MENDOZA-MARTINEZ, an alien illegally and unlawfully present in the United States, was encountered by Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations agents and found to be in possession of a .380 semi-automatic pistol.

If convicted, MENDOZA-MARTINEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

U. S. Attorney Polite reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.