Florida
Guatemalan Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Alien Gun Possession Pensacola Case
Pensacola, Florida – Selvin J. Tello-Perez, 25, of Guatemala, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the plea.
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Key points
- Selvin J. Tello-Perez pleaded guilty to unlawful gun and ammunition possession in federal court.
- Deputies arrested Perez in Okaloosa County with a loaded revolver zip-tied to his scooter.
- The defendant faces up to 15 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 17, 2026.
NewsWK — A federal court in Pensacola secured a guilty plea from a previously deported Guatemalan citizen. Officials caught him with a loaded handgun in Northwest Florida. Selvin J Tello Perez, 25, admitted to the federal weapons violation following his arrest earlier this year.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing collaboration between local deputies and federal agents to remove illegal weapons from Northwest Florida streets. These agencies work together to protect neighborhoods in Okaloosa and Escambia counties from armed, undocumented individuals. The joint operation targeted illegal alien gun possession Pensacola residents expect authorities to address.
What led to the Okaloosa County firearm arrest?
Local deputies stopped Selvin J Tello Perez in January 2026 while he was riding an electric scooter. During the encounter, officers discovered a loaded revolver hidden inside a fanny pack zip-tied to the handlebars. This traffic stop prompted a joint federal investigation into his immigration status and weapon possession.
What are the details of the Northern District of Florida guilty plea?
Federal prosecutors announced that Perez entered a Northern District of Florida guilty plea for unlawful weapon possession. Because Perez previously faced deportation and illegally re-entered the country, federal law prohibited him from carrying a firearm. He now faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the offense.
What happens next in this Pensacola federal court gun charge?
U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II, will sentence Perez on December 17, 2026, in Pensacola. Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes is prosecuting the case. Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in the investigation:
- Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations
This collaborative effort aligns with Project Safe Neighborhoods and Operation Take Back America. United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced the plea, noting the federal commitment to public safety.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
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