A federal grand jury in Charlotte has indicted two Honduran nationals, Alexander Josue Viatoro-Arita, 20, and Olver Anacleto Amador-Calderon, 24, for unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien. The announcement was made by Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The case involves collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies. Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Charlotte Division; Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD); and Chief Trent Conard of the Gastonia Police Department joined U.S. Attorney King in making the announcement.
According to allegations outlined in both the indictment and criminal complaint, Viatoro-Arita and Amador-Calderon were identified as part of suspected drug trafficking activities during an investigation. On January 14, 2025, law enforcement approached the hotel where the defendants were staying in Charlotte and made contact with them. During this encounter, officers conducted a frisk for safety reasons and allegedly discovered concealed firearms on both individuals' waistbands. The defendants were subsequently taken into custody.
Court records allege that Amador-Calderon possessed a .380 caliber Titan pistol while Viatoro-Arita had a stolen 9mm Taurus pistol with a partially obliterated serial number. Both individuals are alleged to have been illegally present in the United States at the time they unlawfully possessed these firearms. Additionally, law enforcement reportedly found a large amount of U.S. currency and suspected narcotics in their hotel room.
Both defendants remain in federal custody pending further legal proceedings. The charge they face carries a potential maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.
It is important to note that these charges are merely allegations at this stage; both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The investigation is being handled by the FBI along with CMPD and Gastonia Police Department personnel.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting this case.