Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States and Possessing a Firearm as an Illegal Alien

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican National illegally residing in Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for unlawful reentry after deportation and possession of a firearm as an illegal alien.

Omar Avila-Ramirez, 38, was sentenced by United States District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 15 months in federal prison without parole followed by three years of supervised release.

On Jan. 23, 2025, Avila-Ramirez pleaded guilty without a plea agreement to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation and possession of a firearm as an illegal alien.  According to government filings, Avila-Ramirez was arrested by Lee’s Summit, Mo., police officers on Sept. 26, 2024, for driving a van with license plates belonging to a stolen truck.  Avila-Ramirez gave police the wrong name and claimed to not have any identification. Police recovered from Avila-Ramirez’s possession a Phoenix Arms HP, .22 caliber pistol loaded with six rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, with one in the chamber.  Avila-Ramirez has twice been removed from the country. Avila-Ramirez admitted he was in the country illegally and that he was not legally allowed to possess a firearm.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Mahoney. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Lee’s Summit, Missouri Police Department.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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