Michael Alexander Ayala-Ramirez, a 20-year-old from El Salvador, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison by United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis for possession of firearms as a prohibited person. The sentencing took place on May 8, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced the decision. After completing his prison term, Ayala-Ramirez will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The case stems from an incident on July 4, 2024, when a pickup truck was reported stolen from Denver International Airport. Two days later, Ogallala police identified the vehicle and attempted to make contact with its occupants: Michael Ayala-Ramirez and his codefendants Pablo Escobar-Alas and Selvin Escobar-Rivera. Ayala-Ramirez, driving the truck, led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through several counties before stop sticks were deployed near the Deuel and Keith County line.
Upon stopping the vehicle in a ditch near a farmyard in Deuel County, Ayala-Ramirez and Escobar-Alas exited carrying bags containing several firearms: a Smith & Wesson pistol reported stolen, a Sig Sauer pistol, a Glock pistol, and a Del Ton DTI-15 rifle. They then stole another pickup truck from the farmyard but were apprehended after another high-speed chase ended with the deployment of stop sticks.
Escobar-Rivera fled on foot from the initial scene but was arrested later. A second stolen Smith & Wesson pistol was discovered on the floorboard where he had been seated.
All three individuals had previously been deported without permission to re-enter the United States. The cases against Pablo Escobar-Alas and Selvin Escobar-Rivera remain active.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Nebraska State Patrol, Deuel County Sheriff's Office, Ogallala Police Department, and Denver Police Department.