A Guatemalan national, Joel Guerra Eraso, 41, was sentenced in Norfolk, Virginia to eight years and ten months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful reentry into the United States after being previously removed. This sentence is in addition to the two and a half years he has already served.
Court documents state that Guerra Eraso was deported from the United States in 2013 but returned unlawfully. On August 30, 2023, an incident occurred where Guerra Eraso attempted to have sex with his wife, who declined due to back pain. He then held her down and assaulted her. According to the documents, “Guerra Eraso placed a firearm to his wife’s head and pulled the trigger twice, but the firearm did not discharge. Guerra Eraso then pointed the gun at a pillow and pulled the trigger, firing the weapon and striking his wife’s phone.”
While incarcerated, Guerra Eraso violated a protective order by contacting his wife through other inmates. He pleaded guilty on July 22, 2024 in Northampton County to several charges: attempted first degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent felony, maliciously shooting in a dwelling, assault and battery of a family or household member, brandishing a firearm, reckless handling of a firearm, and misdemeanor destruction of property.
Guerra Eraso had prior convictions for possession of cocaine and reckless handling of a firearm related to an earlier incident where he fired shots inside his residence while intoxicated as his wife hid in a closet.
He remains subject to removal from the United States.
The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Washington, D.C., with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton D. LaForge.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).”
Further information can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or by searching Case No. 2:24-cr-40 on PACER or on the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
