A routine traffic stop in Pearl River County led to the conviction and sentencing of a Honduran national on federal identity theft charges, federal prosecutors announced this week.

Wilmer Alexander Montufar, 37, was sentenced to 49 months in federal prison for the felony offense of knowingly possessing, without authority, a means of identification belonging to another person in violation of federal law. U.S. District Judge Taylor B. McNeel handed down the sentence in Gulfport. Following his prison term, Montufar will serve three years of supervised release.

The charges stemmed from a May 6, 2024, traffic stop on Interstate 59 near Mile Marker 31. After observing it impeding traffic in the left lane, a Mississippi law enforcement officer pulled over Montufar’s vehicle. Montufar, who was driving, and a 16-year-old female passenger were both identified as Honduran citizens and reported that they did not speak English.

A Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to assist with translation. During initial questioning, the juvenile claimed to be a friend of Montufar but could not explain their destination in Mississippi. Montufar was arrested for driving without a license and using improper lane. He and the juvenile were transported to the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office, where she was later turned over to Mississippi Child Protective Services.

While in custody, Montufar admitted in a recorded interview that he had smuggled the juvenile into the United States from Honduras and acknowledged that they were in a relationship, fully aware of her age. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents later transported Montufar to the U.S. Border Patrol Station in Gulfport, where further investigation revealed he had been deported from the U.S. on four prior occasions: in 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2018.

Agents also discovered that Montufar had fraudulent identification documents, including a Texas ID card and multiple Social Security cards bearing names other than his own. He admitted to purchasing the fake documents for $800 and using them to gain employment.

Montufar pleaded guilty on Oct. 17, 2024. Following his sentence, he is expected to face removal proceedings by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. His supervised release will be non-reporting if he remains outside the U.S., but any unlawful reentry could result in additional, consecutive penalties.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi Patrick A. Lemon credited the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, HSI, the U.S. Border Patrol, Mississippi Child Protective Services, and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for their roles in the investigation.