Joint investigation by MPD, ATF results in eight-year prison term for Mexican national

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

Special to Iredell Free News

An investigation by the Mooresville Police Department and the Charlotte Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) culminated Tuesday in a 97-month federal prison sentence for a Mexican national.

Yael Aguilar, 30, of Mexico City, Mexico, must also serve four years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Dena J. King announced.

Alicia Jones, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Field Division of the ATF, and Mooresville Police Chief Ron Campurciani joined U.S. Attorney King in the announcement.

According to court documents and court proceedings, in August 2022, the ATF and MPD initiated an investigation into Aguilar for suspected drug distribution. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement conducted at least three controlled purchases of narcotics from Aguilar, including for methamphetamine. During one of the controlled purchases, law enforcement observed that Aguilar was armed.

On September 22, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Aguilar’s residence and the two vehicles located in the driveway. During the search, law enforcement recovered narcotics, digital scales, and more than $24,000 in cash. Law enforcement also seized a loaded firearm, assorted ammunition, and a privately made firearm, also known as a “ghost gun,” with a Glock slide, magazine, and ammunition. Aguilar is an illegal alien and he is not permitted to own or possess firearms.

Aguilar remains in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William Wiseman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. Mr. Wiseman is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.