Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson has announced the sentencing of Joan E. Escobar-Reyes, a 26-year-old native of Honduras, by United States District Judge Susie Morgan. Escobar-Reyes received a sentence of thirty months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A).
Court documents reveal that on or about June 30, 2024, Escobar-Reyes was found with a Glock Model 32, .357 SIG caliber semi-automatic pistol and an H&R Model 92, .22 LR caliber revolver while illegally present in the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that unites law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, which aims to strengthen PSN through fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
Simpson commended the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations-New Orleans, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis from the General Crimes Unit managed the prosecution.