FBI San Juan
Public Affairs Officer Limary Cruz-Rubio
(787) 685-2066
May 6, 2014

Arrests of Elliot Llorens-Martinez and Jose Yambo-Arroyo

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.