ILLEGAL ALIEN SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTING TO SMUGGLE FIREARMS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND USE OF A FRAUDULENT PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD
MARCOS TULIO RUIZ, age 33, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt to fifteen (15) months imprisonment, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Engelhardt ordered that RUIZ be placed on three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release. Judge Engelhardt also ordered that RUIZ pay a $3,000 fine to the United States.
According to court documents, on May 24, 2011, RUIZ, an illegal alien, pled guilty to two counts of an indictment admitting he fraudulently and knowingly concealed and facilitated the transportation of two firearms, with the intent to export those goods from the United States to Honduras, contrary to law. RUIZ also admitted that in July 2008, he knowingly possessed, used, and attempted to use a counterfeit Permanent Resident Card (also known as a green card), which is prescribed by law as evidence of authorized stay and employment in the United States.
The case was investigated by the Gulf Coast Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) and the New Orleans Customs and Border Protection Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.
