Carlos Alberto Diaz-Chavez, a 21-year-old Honduran national without legal status in the United States, faces multiple firearms and drug charges. These charges include being an alien in possession of a firearm, possession of a machinegun, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
"We will not hesitate to keep our community safe from those who would illegally possess dangerous firearms, deal deadly narcotics, and who put our first responders at risk by their actions," said Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire.
Court documents indicate the incident occurred on February 17, 2025, on Interstate 65. A deputy from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office noticed a silver Toyota Camry violating Tennessee law by not moving over for a stopped vehicle with emergency lights. The Camry, upon being approached, accelerated and fled, leading to a pursuit. Deputies used spike strips to halt the vehicle, which eventually crashed into a guardrail near Spring Hill.
After the crash, three occupants fled the car, including Diaz-Chavez, who was carrying a backpack. He was apprehended by deputies, who discovered a firearm, methamphetamine, and a digital scale in his possession. A search of the Camry revealed two more firearms. Diaz-Chavez was subsequently arrested and taken to the Williamson County Jail on state charges.
Diaz-Chavez waived his Miranda rights and admitted possessing the firearms and using them for protection while selling drugs in Nashville. He acknowledged that the machinegun he possessed was for "more firepower" during these activities. He also confirmed that he entered the U.S. illegally in 2019 and has been in the Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama area since then.
Should Diaz-Chavez be convicted, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison for being an alien in possession of a firearm, 10 years for possession of a machinegun, 20 years for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and a mandatory minimum of five years consecutive sentence for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Additionally, he could be fined up to $1 million for the drug trafficking charge and $250,000 for each firearms offense.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Stephens is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of "Operation Take Back America," a national initiative focused on combating illegal immigration and violent crime by targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
A complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.