In a concerning incident that highlights the complexities surrounding immigration and public safety, a Mexican national residing in the United States illegally has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing a firearm.
This case, which unfolded in Rankin County, Mississippi, underscores the need for a nuanced approach to addressing the multifaceted issues at the intersection of immigration, crime, and the law.
Read: Member Of Violent Connecticut Gang Sentenced Gets More Than 6 Years In Federal Prison
According to court documents, Joel Terrazas Olvera, a 51-year-old Mexican national, was found in possession of a firearm by a Rankin County Sheriff’s Deputy on September 19, 2023, during a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Olvera was riding as a passenger.
A federal grand jury subsequently indicted Olvera for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, given his status as an undocumented immigrant.
Olvera pled guilty to the charges on February 23, 2024. The sentencing that followed was a significant one, with Olvera receiving a prison term of 21 months in federal custody.
Read: Florida Man Gets Life For Strangling His Cellmate To Death With A Torn Bedsheet In Federal Prison
This case was the result of a collaborative effort between various law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, a Department of Justice initiative focused on violent crime reduction, also played a role in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
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