Oscar Cruz-Baldo, a 40-year-old Mexican national, has pled guilty in federal court to charges of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being unlawfully present in the United States. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “The aggressive prosecution and removal of violent illegal aliens is central to the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America. My office is committed to working with our dedicated law enforcement partners to fulfill that promise, and as a result, we are making our communities safer.”
Court documents indicate that Cruz-Baldo entered the United States without inspection or authorization from an immigration officer. On February 12, 2025, he was involved in a domestic violence incident in Williston, Florida. During this incident, Cruz-Baldo allegedly threatened his victim with a loaded shotgun. Levy County Deputies arrested him without further incident and found the weapon on the property.
Cruz-Baldo could face up to fifteen years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and deportation from the United States.
The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is set for September 30, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), which aims to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed online via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. More information about this office can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
