Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States and Felon in Possession of a Firearm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Mexican National illegally residing in Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for Illegal Re-entry by an Alien Previously Removed and Felon in Possession of Firearm.

Tomas Alejandro Yanez-Fraide, 23, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to four years federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

On August 21, 2025, Yanez-Fraide pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the United States after previously being removed following a conviction for an aggravated felony and felon in possession of a firearm. Yanez-Fraide admitted he knew he did not have permission to enter the United States lawfully and that, as a felon, he knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Under federal law it is illegal for an alien to knowingly re-enter the United States without permission after being removed. Yanez-Fraide had previously been removed from the country in 2022 after he was convicted in Jackson County, Missouri of robbery in the second degree. He unlawfully returned sometime after his 2022 removal and was found in the Western District of Missouri when he was arrested in February of 2025 by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. At the time of his arrest, Yanez-Fraide was in possession of Glock 9 mm firearm, an extended magazine and live ammunition. Under federal law it is illegal for a person convicted of a felony to possess a firearm or ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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.