Mexican citizen living in Canton charged with having a firearm while unlawfully in the United States

A Mexican citizen was charged with possessing a firearm while illegally in the United States.

Jose Rusbelt Morales-Gutierrez, 28, was living in Canton. Morales-Gutierrez possessed a Beretta, Model PX4 Storm, 9 mm caliber pistol on Aug. 18, after illegally or unlawfully entering the United States. 

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation was conducted by the Canton Police Department, Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Cleveland Field Office of ATF.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.