Federal officials in Memphis this week sentenced an illegal alien to 60 months in federal prison for one count of possessing a firearm as an illegal alien and one count of illegally re-entering the United States.
This, according to a press release that staff at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee published on their website.
That man, Argel Hernandez-Escobar, 33, last resided in Memphis, the press release said.
“According to the information presented in court, on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at approximately 3 p.m., Memphis Police officers responded to a 911 call from a woman who said her son had been accidentally shot by the son’s father (later identified as Mr. Hernandez-Escobar) at their residence in Memphis, Tennessee,” the press release said.
“Responding officers found Hernandez-Escobar on the front porch with a gunshot wound to his leg. Officers also found a 3-year-old male victim on the porch with a gunshot wound to his chest. A Mini Draco 7.62X39mm caliber pistol and a high capacity magazine were located near the front porch. Officers determined that Hernandez-Escobar had accidentally shot himself in the leg and the bullet struck his 3-year-old son who was playing nearby.”
The child later succumbed to his injuries. Hernandez-Escobar later gave a statement and admitted to possessing the Draco firearm with a 30 round clip on his lap and stated it accidentally went off, hitting himself in the leg and also striking his son. He stated the reason he had his firearm outside on his porch was because he was concerned about some unknown individual walking up and down in front of his house. The press release quoted a witness as saying Hernandez-Escobar drank alcohol prior to the shooting.
“Further investigation revealed Hernandez-Escobar is a citizen of Mexico, and he did not have lawful status to be or remain in the United States,” according to the press release
Hernandez-Escobar, the press release went on to say, had the following history:
• Border Patrol Agents apprehended Hernandez-Escobar in 2009 and served him with an order of Expedited Removal and removed him to Mexico the same day.
• ICE agents in Memphis apprehended Hernandez-Escobar in March 2013, and they served a Notice of Intent to Reinstate Prior Order of Removal.
• Officials removed Hernandez-Escobar again to Mexico in April 2013.
• Border Patrol Agents apprehended Hernandez-Escobar in Texas in July 2013 and again served him with a Notice of Intent to Reinstate Prior Order of Removal and other documents. Those documents prohibited him from entering or being in the United States for a period of 20 years.
• Also in July 2013, authorities convicted Hernandez-Escobar of illegal entry in the Western District of Texas. Authorities removed him to Mexico the following month.
As The Tennessee Star reported in 2018, Shelby County officials, specifically the folks at the county attorney’s office, told law enforcement officers to ignore the feds, especially Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
