BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted two Honduran men for possessing firearms while being in the United States illegally, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Resident Agent in Charge David Denton.

The indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges both ELDER REYES-CASTILLO, 27, and MARIO SANDOVAL-RAMOS, 25, with being in the country illegally and possessing ammunition and multiple firearms.

“Federal law makes it a crime for anyone who is illegally in the United States to possess a firearm,” Vance said. “Individuals who possess or traffic in firearms in violation of federal law should expect to be prosecuted.”

In separate counts of the indictment, Reyes-Castillo and Sandoval-Ramos each are charged with illegally possessing, on Sept. 12 in Shelby County, a Glock Model 23 semi-automatic .40-caliber pistol; an FNP40 .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol; a Jimenez Arms J.A. 9 mm semi-automatic pistol; a Bersa Thunder .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol; a Hi-Point JCP .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol; and two Lorcin Model L380.380-caliber semi-automatic pistols. Reyes-Castillo and Sandoval-Ramos also are each charged with illegally possessing multiple rounds of Winchester.40-caliber ammunition on Sept. 12.

HSI investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael W. Whisonant Sr.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

 

 

 

 

 

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