Deported immigrant admits firearm violation

GULFOPRT -- A deported immigrant seen on Facebook brandishing a rifle has pleaded guilty to a firearm violation.

Carlos Efrain Chavez-Alas, 27, from El Salvador, pleaded guilty Monday to possession of a firearm by a person unlawfully present in the United States. The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Chavez-Alas agreed to forfeit a firearm federal agents said he showed in Facebook posts. The weapon was found Jan. 4 in a raid of his home in the 300 block of 29th Street in Gulfport, court documents said.

U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden will sentence him May 24.

Chavez-Alas had been free on bond pending appeal of an immigration judge's May 7, 2013, order to deport him. The final order required he be sent back to El Salvador, a Homeland Security Investigations agent's affidavit said.

Federal agents learned he had created two Facebook pages, including one in the vanity name of Calvina Payin, a court document said.

Chavez-Alas, who lived alone, had posted a picture of a Gulfport traffic citation and pictures of himself holding and shooting what appeared to be a bolt-action weapon with a wooden stock.

Agents who searched his home said they looked in his bedroom closet and found a Revelation model 336 .410-gauge bolt-action shotgun. Chavez-Alas has signed a forfeiture order agreeing to give up the gun.

Biloxi police had arrested him on a disorderly conduct charge in 2010, which led to questions about his immigration status. He was taken into custody to await hearings in U.S. Immigration Court, the closest being in New Orleans, and was later released on bond.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in the investigation.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Deported immigrant admits firearm violation ."