Louisville, KY – A Mexican national illegally and unlawfully living in Louisville was sentenced on October 7, 2026, to 10 years in prison for distribution of cocaine, possession of a firearm by an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Michael Perez of Homeland Security Investigations Nashville, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Chief Paul L. Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.Gabriel Aguilar-Benitez, 36, a citizen of Mexico, unlawfully living in Louisville, Kentucky, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for distribution of cocaine, possession of a firearm by an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On five different occasions between February 10, 2025, and April 17, 2025, Aguilar-Benitez sold cocaine to a confidential source. On April 22, 2025, a federal search warrant was executed at Aguilar-Benitez’s residence at 8015 Daffodil Drive, Louisville, Kentucky, and on Aguilar-Benitez’s 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe. 75.84 grams of cocaine, a Kimber .45 caliber pistol, a Lorcin .380 caliber pistol, and ammunition were found and seized. The total amount of cocaine in the case is 537.29 grams.The Kimber .45 caliber pistol and the Lorcin .380 caliber pistol were possessed by Aguilar-Benitez while he was an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States and in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime. United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Aguilar-Benitez is illegally in this country selling substantial amounts of cocaine while armed. He is a danger to the citizens of Louisville. Fortunately, he will spend the next 10 years in federal prison and be deported back to Mexico.” “HSI is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to eliminate crime and dangerous drugs from our communities,” said HSI Nashville acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Michael Perez. “This sentence reflects that commitment and holds the defendant accountable for his actions.”LMPD Chief Paul L. Humphrey stated, "Drugs and illegal guns are a dangerous combination that puts lives at risk. This case is another example of the important work being done by local and federal law enforcement to get dangerous criminals off our streets and make Louisville safer.”There is no parole in the federal system. The case was investigated by HSI Nashville, the Louisville Metro Police Department, and the DEA Louisville Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erwin Roberts prosecuted the case.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, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. ###
Source: U.S. Department of Justice