Louisville City Wire

A federal grand jury in Louisville has indicted an individual for illegal firearm possession. The case involves Renan Josue Rodriguez-Rodriguez, a citizen of Honduras, accused of possessing a firearm in March 2024 in Kentucky while reportedly being unlawfully present in the U.S.

Officials announcing the indictment include U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett from the Western District of Kentucky, along with Rana Saoud from Homeland Security Investigations in Nashville, Sam Olson from U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement, and John Nokes from the ATF Louisville Field Division.

Should Rodriguez-Rodriguez be convicted, he may face a prison term of up to 15 years. The sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, considering the applicable guidelines and laws.

The investigation is a collaborative effort between Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations. Alicia Gomez, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, will be prosecuting the case.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration, dismantle cartels, and combat transnational criminal organizations. The operation also involves the department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

It is important to note that indictments are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.