Leonel Moreno, the “immigration influencer” who mocked America on social media and encouraged immigrants to illegally occupy American citizens’ homes, could face federal firearms charges, The Post reports. has learned exclusively.
Internal federal documents reviewed by the Post show that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been in contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding Mr. Moreno and is considering filing charges.
The exact charges are unclear, but officials said they likely will be charged under gun control laws that prohibit parolees from possessing, transporting, transporting or receiving firearms or ammunition.
Moreno entered the United States illegally in 2022, but was allowed to stay under a parole program approved by the Biden administration.
He was arrested by authorities in a Columbus, Ohio suburb on March 29 for failing to show up for a required police check-in and for months of inflammatory social media posts. was arrested.
John Fabricatore, the former head of ICE’s field office in Denver, told the Post that any additional charges could “escalate” the case against Moreno and cause authorities to detain him for an even longer period of time. he said.
Fabricatore added that if the charges were to be pursued, the ATF would have to issue a warrant “requiring” Moreno to appear before a magistrate judge, and Moreno would have to be taken into federal marshal custody.
The Geauga County Jail confirmed to the Post on Wednesday that Moreno remains in custody on behalf of ICE.
“The following charges [Gun Control Act section] 922.g is a serious matter and could have significant legal consequences for Moreno.
“This should serve as a warning to illegal aliens that illegally possessing a firearm will result in criminal charges and hopefully a conviction,” said Fabricatore, who is running for Congress from Colorado’s 6th Congressional District. Stated.
In previous social media posts, Moreno brandished wads of cash and said he was receiving large amounts of government benefits.
In another post, Moreno was seen holding up firearms at a gun store and asking his followers, “Which one do you like best?”
“Thankfully I already have a license,” he said in one of the posts.
“If you want a gun, you can buy it at the store,” he said in another post.
However, there is no evidence that he actually purchased the gun, and authorities have not released information about what was seized from the hotel where he was staying at the time of his arrest.
Peter Forcelli, a former special agent with the ATF, told the Post that the agency could pursue such charges against Moreno because he is an illegal alien with firearms transported across state lines. He said that he has a high level of sexuality.
“The fact that he’s advocating breaking into people’s homes and taking over them is very concerning,” Forcelli said.
ATF told the Post it “cannot confirm or deny information regarding a potential or ongoing investigation.”
“Leonel Moreno is a Venezuelan national who is in Venezuela illegally and entered the country illegally on April 23, 2022,” an ICE spokesperson said in a statement to the Post.
“Ms. Moreno was placed in the Alternative to Detention Program by the Border Patrol and told to report to the Office of Removal Operations within 60 days of arriving at her destination.
“Mr. Moreno did not report as required. On March 29, 2024, Moreno was arrested in Gahanna, Ohio by personnel from ERO Detroit’s Columbus office and is currently being held in custody pending further immigration proceedings. I am.”
Internal ICE records reviewed by the Post found that the agency knew Moreno “was in the national news for promoting illegal immigration on TikTok.”
The newspaper spoke to Moreno’s tearful wife, Veronica Torres, at the Sonesta Simply Suites Columbus Airport extended-stay hotel in the Columbus suburb of Gahanna after Moreno’s recent arrest. She is not allowed to see her incarcerated husband, she said.
“We don’t know where they took him and we can’t see him,” she told the Post.
“I can’t say more because I don’t know much about it.”
