Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession

Source: US FBI

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national has pleaded guilty in federal court today for illegal possession of firearms.

Jose Montero-Barradas, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of Alien in Possession of Firearms.

According to court documents, Montero-Barradas knew he was present in the United States illegally and unlawfully, when he knowingly possessed two firearms on March 23, 2025. Specifically, on the evening of March 23, 2025, members of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department were dispatched to a residential area in Kansas City following a report of shots fired. Officers arriving on the scene observed Montero-Barradas walking into a residence with two firearms, which were later recovered.

Under federal law it is illegal for an alien to possess a firearm or ammunition.

Montero-Barradas faces up to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentence of the defendant will be determined by the court based upon the advisory sentencing guidelines and other factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Foley. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).