Honduran citizen admits to two federal felonies

HOUSTON – A 23-year-old non-U.S. citizen illegally residing in Houston has pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the country and to unlawfully possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Jairon Odair Pineda-Gomez is a citizen of Honduras and is an alleged member of the 18th Street gang.

In January 2021, Pineda-Gomez was arrested for illegally re-entering the country. Released on bond, he later cut off his ankle monitor and absconded while charges were pending.

Authorities arrested him for the bond violation in September 2022, at which time he had a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol in his backpack. Records indicate Pineda-Gomez had pointed the pistol at multiple people, including a 9-year-old child, in July 2022. He was also seen on surveillance video shooting a gun in the air. 

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted the plea and set sentencing for June 21. At that time, Pineda-Gomez faces up to 15 years for the firearms conviction as well as another two for the illegal re-entry as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. 

He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

U.S. Marshals Service and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Bauman is prosecuting the case.