A federal criminal complaint and arrest warrant have been issued against Manuel Antonio Xante-Ajanel, a 25-year-old Guatemalan citizen, for multiple offenses related to firearms and identity theft. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge A.J. Gibes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations Nashville, and Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police.
Court records indicate that on November 11, 2024, Xante-Ajanel attempted to purchase a firearm at Academy Sports in Paducah using fraudulent identification. The transaction was halted when the ID was identified as fake. Subsequent searches conducted on January 31, 2025, at his residence in Mayfield and his vehicle led to the discovery of numerous fake IDs and a loaded handgun. Xante-Ajanel admitted to possessing the firearm illegally while being unlawfully present in the United States.
Homeland Security Investigations confirmed Xante-Ajanel's illegal entry into the U.S. He is currently held in state custody and is scheduled for an initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Kentucky's Western District at a future date.
If convicted, Xante-Ajanel could face between two and twelve years in prison based on federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors determined by a district court judge. It is important to note that there is no parole system federally.
The investigation involves several agencies including ATF – Paducah Post of Duty, HSI – Paducah Post of Duty, and the Kentucky State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus from the Paducah Branch Office will prosecute this case.
It must be emphasized that a criminal complaint serves only as an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.