FirstAlerts

Man Sentenced to Two and a Half Years in Federal Prison After Firing Shots Near Border Patrol Agents

A Mexican citizen residing in Chicago received a federal prison sentence for illegal firearm possession following an incident during Operation Midway Blitz.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 20, 2026, 8:47 a.m. ET
According to official records from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, 46-year-old Hector Gomez was on Aug. 7, 2026, to two and a half years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly. Gomez, a citizen of Mexico residing in Chicago who has no claim to U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence, pleaded guilty in April 2026 to illegal possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Following his sentence, he is subject to removal. Official records state that on Nov. 8, 2025, Gomez was driving a Jeep Wrangler in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago when he discharged at least two rounds from a handgun near U.S. Border Patrol agents performing official duties during Operation Midway Blitz. Later that same day, Gomez brandished the handgun at an individual in a parking lot a few blocks away. Gomez had previously been convicted of a felony firearm offense in the Circuit Court of Cook County and was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Ryan Whalen, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was investigated by the Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Chicago, and the government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill J. Bhalakia. "Hector Gomez was in this country illegally and was prohibited from possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon," said United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros. "Even more, when Gomez illegally discharged a gun near law enforcement carrying out their sworn duties, it seriously endangered law enforcement and caused chaos in the community during an already intense and tumultuous time in Chicagoland. The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office is fully committed to holding accountable those who use violence to attack, intimidate, or endanger the brave law enforcement officers who risk their lives to enforce the law." ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Amon said, "Hector Gomez’s reckless conduct that day put countless lives at risk and demonstrated a complete disregard for the safety of law enforcement and members of the public." FBI Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Ryan Whalen added, "The FBI has zero tolerance for any threats or violence against law enforcement, and any attempt to impede their service or endanger their lives will be met with the full force of the government."

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  1. Version 120 Aug 2026, 12:47current

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