A 22-year-old man who entered the United States illegally was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for shooting an off-duty Border Patrol officer during a robbery in Manhattan last summer. U.S. District Court Judge Loretta Preska delivered the sentence on Monday, emphasizing the need to deter similar crimes by migrants.
Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, a Dominican national, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal weapons charge related to the incident. During the hearing, Judge Preska stated that imposing a severe sentence was necessary to send a clear message against criminal activity by individuals who enter the country unlawfully.
According to prosecutors, Mora Nunez crossed into the United States through Arizona in April 2023. He still faces separate charges from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, including attempted murder, which carry a potential sentence of 25 years to life. Mora Nunez appeared visibly emotional in court as the sentence was pronounced.
The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and the federal judiciary's approach to sentencing in such matters. The maximum punishment for the weapons charge was applied as part of efforts to reinforce law enforcement and public safety.