A Mexican national who was illegally residing in Reeds Spring, and turned himself into authorities earlier this spring, has plead guilty in federal court to firearms and immigration offenses.
In a press release, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri reports Jose Guadalupe Moreno-Malagon, 43, plead guilty on Wednesday, Nov. 4, before U.S. District Judge Megan Blair Benton to one count of illegal possession of firearms by an illegal immigrant, and one count of unlawful entry into the United States.
On April 20, Moreno-Malagon contacted the Stone County Sheriff’s Office to report he was an “illegal alien” and wished to turn himself into authorities. When deputies responded to his residence, they observed several firearms but were unable to verify his immigration status. The following day deputies returned to the residence and arrested Moreno-Malagon for being in the United States unlawfully and for illegally possessing firearms. Deputies additionally seized two pistols and a semi-automatic rifle from the residence.
Moreno-Malagon’s sentencing has been scheduled for April 7, 2027. Under federal statutes, he can be sentenced to up to 15 years in federal prison without parole for unlawful possession of a firearm, and up to six months imprisonment for unlawful entry into the United States. 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 Tony Brown and was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Stone County Sheriff’s Office.
