Honduran National Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a Firearm and Illegally Reentering the United States (DOJ)

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - A Honduran national was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm and illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported.

Jhader Hernandez-Padilla, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 24 months in prison without parole for being an alien in possession of a firearm and for illegally reentering the United States after previously having been deported. Hernandez-Padilla pleaded guilty on Aug. 13, 2025.

On May 13, 2025, Hernandez-Padilla was pulled over by Kansas City Police Department Officers for a traffic infraction. When officers contacted Hernandez-Padilla, he was unable to produce a driver's license and instead handed officers a Honduran passport. Officers asked Hernandez-Padilla if he had any weapons in his car, and he responded that he did not. After officers obtained permission to search the car, they discovered that Hernandez-Padilla had a loaded 9mm Century Arms Canik, Model TP9SA, between the driver's seat and center console. Officers also located methamphetamine, suspected black-tar heroin, a digital scale, and unused plastic baggies, all of which are indicative of drug distribution. During a search incident to Hernandez-Padilla's arrest, officers discovered more methamphetamine in his wallet. The defendant later admitted that he was in the country illegally and had been deported in 2019.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the United States Department of Homeland Security.

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.