Arrests of Elliot Llorens-Martinez and Jose Yambo-Arroyo |
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FBI San Juan Division
Special Agent Moises Quiñones
May 6, 2014
Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) San Juan Division, announced the arrest of Elliot Llorens-Martinez and Jose Yambo-Arroyo. On May 2, 2014, Elliot Llorens-Martinez and Jose Yambo-Arroyo were taken into custody by the FBI and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aiding and abetting each other while in possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence respectively.
A federal complaint states that on April 30, 2014, Police of Puerto Rico, hereinafter referred to as POPR, officers proceeded to follow a vehicle in attempt to stop it and test the darkness of the windows. Officers turned on their blue lights and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver disobeyed the officers and continued driving to a nearby Puma Fuel station.
Once at the fuel station, a male driver later identified as Elliot Llorens-Martinez exited the vehicle. A male, later identified as Jose Yambo-Arroyo, sat in the front passenger seat, and another male, later identified as Orlando Rubio-Arroyo, sat in the rear right of the vehicle. The vehicle tints were examined and yielded a visibility of 27 percent in violation of PR traffic law.
Upon further examination of the vehicle from the outside, utilizing a flashlight, POPR officers observed a towel draped over an object. The object had the front sites of a rifle protruding through a hole in the towel. The POPR officers determined that based on their experience the object appeared to be a rifle. At that time Llorens-Martinez, Yambo-Arroyo, and Rubio-Arroyo were subsequently arrested.
A search warrant was obtained and executed on the vehicle. The following weapons were found in the vehicle: one Rock River Arms rifle, one pistol, and ammunition.
If convicted, the defendants face up to a maximum of 17 years in prison. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Normary Figueroa and is being investigated by the FBI.
The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.