Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Firearm

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ERIC DE JESUS MENDOZA-MARTINEZ, age 20, a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty today to one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.

According to court documents, MENDOZA-MARTINEZ, an illegal alien from Mexico, was stopped for a traffic violation on November 7, 2015.  During the traffic stop, it was discovered that MENDOZA-MARTINEZ had a Taurus .380 caliber pistol in his possession.   

If convicted, MENDOZA-MARTINEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.

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