Juan Carlos Contreras-Najarro was sentenced on Mar. 9 to 48 months in federal prison after being convicted of being an alien in possession of a firearm and a felon in possession of a firearm, according to Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
Contreras-Najarro, 32, originally from Guatemala and residing in Little Rock, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 5, 2024, on two counts related to firearm possession. He pleaded guilty to both counts on January 21, 2025. In addition to the prison term, Judge Marshall ordered three years of supervised release following his incarceration. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case began when officers from the Little Rock Police Department observed Contreras-Najarro driving a stolen Honda and conducted a traffic stop on January 20, 2024. During the stop, Contreras-Najarro told officers that the vehicle had been “given to him.” A search revealed methamphetamine on his person and a defaced Lorcin .380 caliber firearm between the console and driver’s seat. Officers also found drug paraphernalia and marijuana inside the vehicle along with credit cards and checks belonging to multiple victims.
Further investigation determined that Contreras-Najarro had entered the United States illegally approximately 13 or 14 years ago and had previous felony convictions for drug offenses and forgery.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to address illegal immigration and combat violent crime through coordinated efforts by law enforcement agencies.
The investigation involved the United States Department of Homeland Security with assistance from the Little Rock Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Shelby Shelton prosecuted the case.
