Illegal Alien from Honduras Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a Firearm and Unlawfully Reentering the United States

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Honduran national, illegally living in the Kansas City, Mo. area was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for possessing a firearm and violating immigration laws.

Kelvin Lopez-Leonardo, 32, pleaded guilty to being an alien in possession of a firearm and unlawfully reentering the United States.

On April 13, 2025, officers with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department arrested Lopez-Leonardo after he was found in a stolen vehicle with a firearm. After confirming Lopez-Leonardo's identity, officers learned he had previously been removed from the United States.

The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Enforcement and Removal Operations. In conjunction with ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, it was determined that Lopez-Leonardo had illegally entered the United States on three prior occasions before being removed from the United States each time, with the last removal occurring in October of 2023.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Collins. It was investigated by the Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations divisions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and 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).