COLUMBIA, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Thomas Castro, age 24, of Mexico, pled guilty to federal charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition, and possession of ammunition by an illegal alien. United States District Judge Henry F. Floyd accepted the plea and will sentence Castro at a later date.
On September 20, 2008, Castro was stopped by the Greenville Police for traffic violations while traveling on I-385. When asked to step out of the car, Castro pointed a handgun at the officer, put his vehicle into gear, and sped away. Officers pursued Castro onto Woodruff Road where he exited his vehicle and ran into a wooded area. Castro was apprehended shortly thereafter, and officers found four rounds of ammunition in Castro’s pocket. Despite a search of the area, the firearm was not recovered.
Castro is an illegal alien and has a previous conviction for assault and battery with intent to kill. He is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Castro faces a maximum penalty of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, and a three year term of supervised release on both charges. He will face deportation following any prison sentence he receives.
The case was investigated by agents of the Greenville City Police Department, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville Office handled the case. This prosecution was a part of Operation CeaseFire. CeaseFire is a joint local, state, and federal initiative which seeks to prosecute individuals who unlawfully use, possess, or transfer firearms.
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