May 14, 2025Lincoln, NE, United StatesFirearms, Ammunition and Explosives

Illegal alien sentenced for prohibited person in possession of a firearm, following ICE, local law enforcement partner investigation

LINCOLN, Neb. — Michael Alexander Ayala-Ramirez, 20, an illegal alien from El Salvador, was sentenced on May 8, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of prohibited person in possession or a firearm or firearms, following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, local law enforcement investigation.

U.S. District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Ayala-Ramirez to a total of 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ayala-Ramirez’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release and will face removal from the United States.

“This case is a stark reminder of why strong collaboration between federal and local law enforcement is non-negotiable,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito. “A convicted felon and illegal alien in possession of firearms isn’t just breaking the law — he’s a direct threat to the people of Lincoln. When dangerous individuals enter and remain in this country illegally, they put all of us at risk. HSI will “aggressively” investigate, dismantle, and bring to justice anyone who endangers American lives.”

On July 4, 2024, a pickup truck was reported stolen from the Denver International Airport. On July 6, 2024, an Ogallala police officer observed the stolen truck and attempted to contact it. The stolen truck had three occupants, Michael Ayala-Ramirez, codefendant Pablo Escobar-Alas, and codefendant Selvin Escobar-Rivera. The driver of the vehicle, Ayala-Ramirez, attempted to flee from law enforcement, which lead to a high-speed chase through multiple counties and involved multiple law enforcement agencies. Stop sticks were successfully deployed near the Deuel and Keith County line and the truck ended up in a ditch near a farmyard in Deuel County.

Ayala-Ramirez and Escobar-Alas were the driver and front seat passenger. They got out of the vehicle carrying bags and attempted to hide under another vehicle in the farmyard momentarily. The bags were later found to contain a Smith & Wesson pistol that was reported stolen, a Sig Sauer pistol, a Glock pistol, and a Del Ton DTI-15 rifle. Ayala-Ramirez and Escobar-Alas then stole a pickup truck from the farmyard, which lead to another high-speed chase. They were arrested after stop sticks were successfully deployed once again.

Escobar-Rivera was in the backseat of the first stolen truck and he fled on foot after the initial stop. He was later arrested, and a second Smith & Wesson pistol was found on the floorboard of the backseat where he had been sitting. This pistol was also reported stolen.

All three of the defendants have previously been deported and have no legal basis to return to the United States.

Pablo Escobar-Alas and Selvin Escobar-Rivera’s cases are still active and pending.

This case was investigated by ICE HSI, Nebraska State Patrol, Deuel County Sheriff’s Office, Ogallala Police Department, and the Denver Police Department.

Updated: 05/14/2025