Marvin Enrique Pena-Portillo, a 38-year-old Honduran national, has been charged with firearm possession by a felon following his arrest by United States authorities. According to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf, Pena-Portillo, who resides unlawfully in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was detained after a federal court hearing.
The allegations suggest that Pena-Portillo was found with a loaded 9 mm semiautomatic pistol during his arrest on April 15, 2025. The arrest was conducted by agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This arrest was part of a broader operation addressing immigration violations.
Previously, in August 2024, Pena-Portillo admitted to carrying an illegal firearm in public, resulting in a probation sentence by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
The case is linked to Operation Take Back America. This is a broad initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration, combating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and mitigating violent crime.
The investigation involved ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations along with the ATF. It is important to note, as the authorities emphasize, the charges are accusations, and Pena-Portillo is considered innocent until proven guilty.