Mexican National Is Sentenced To 8+ Years In Prison For Distribution Of Methamphetamine And Possession Of A Firearm By An Illegal Alien

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Yael Aguilar, 30, of Mexico City, Mexico, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Alicia Jones, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Ron Campurciani of the Mooresville Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, in August 2022, the ATF and the Mooresville Police Department initiated an investigation into Aguilar for suspected drug distribution. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement conducted at least three controlled purchases of narcotics from Aguilar, including for methamphetamine. During one of the controlled purchases, law enforcement observed that Aguilar was armed. On September 22, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Aguilar’s residence and the two vehicles located in the driveway. During the search, law enforcement recovered narcotics, digital scales, and more than $24,000 in cash. Law enforcement also seized a loaded firearm, assorted ammunition, and a privately made firearm, also known as a “ghost gun,” with a Glock slide, magazine, and ammunition. Aguilar is an illegal alien and he is not permitted to own or possess firearms.

Aguilar remains in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The ATF and the Mooresville Police Department investigated the case.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) William Wiseman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. Mr. Wiseman is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26^th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. Mr. Wiseman is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.