Honduran National Sentenced in Federal Court in Louisiana to 3+ Years in Prison for Possession of Firearms by an Alien Illegally and Unlawfully in the United States

Louisiana – A Honduran National has been sentenced in a federal court in Louisiana to more than three years in federal prison for possession of firearms by an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States.

On April 4, 2023, United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Elmer Enrique Amaya Gonzales, age 20, of Honduras, to 41 months in federal prison following his conviction for possession of firearms by an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States. Upon his release from prison, Gonzales will be removed from the United States and returned to his home country of Honduras.

According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, on June 6, 2022, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office deputies were summoned to Innovation Park Drive in connection to an armed robbery. Deputies arrived and spoke with the two victims, who reported being robbed at gunpoint. According to the victims, they were outside discussing the day’s work schedule when they were approached by three armed Hispanic males who demanded their belongings. Three men departed the scene in a dark-colored older Toyota Corolla.

Deputies were able to acquire camera footage from the surrounding area and spotted a dark colored Toyota Corolla going in the same location around the time of the heist. Deputies were able to determine the vehicle’s license plate using this footage. The automobile was seen parked outside of Bayou Fountain Avenue on June 6, 2022, with a Hispanic male standing next to it.
Deputies witnessed the suspect, later identified as Gonzales, repeatedly enter and exit the vehicle’s driver side door. Gonzales was contacted by deputies and detained for additional interrogation.

Deputies on the scene noticed various items in plain view within the vehicle that were possibly related to the armed robbery that occurred on June 4. Deputies specifically noticed masks, rifle magazines, and rifle ammunition. To search the vehicle, investigators acquired a state search warrant. Deputies discovered a Palmetto, model PSAK47 7.62nun caliber rifle and a CBC, model 715P,.22 caliber pistol, as well as numerous types of ammunition, from the vehicle during the search warrant.

Gonzales was aware of the firearms and ammo because he was the primary user of the Toyota Corolla. Gonzales’ Honduras passport was also discovered in the vehicle’s center console.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Department of Homeland Security, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office all looked into the case. Assistant United States Attorney Eli J. Abad prosecuted the case.

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