SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Hainze Díaz Arroyo, also known in the music industry as “Hanzel la H”, with firearms violations. Díaz Arroyo was arrested on July 10 for violating his federal supervised release and has remained detained since his arrest.
According to court documents, Díaz Arroyo was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, that is, a convicted felon. Specifically, it was alleged that on July 10, 2023, Díaz Arroyo, knowing he had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess a firearm. Díaz Arroyo possessed a Glock model 23 .40 caliber pistol, one 13-round capacity magazine, one 22-round capacity magazine, and 36 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.
“Fighting gun violence remains a top priority for our office and the Justice Department and, as this case shows, we are steadfast in our commitment to prosecute those who violate federal firearms laws,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We commend the special agents, Deputy U.S. Marshals, and prosecutors who continue working together to fight against violent crime in our communities.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos said: “To reduce the violence on our island, we need to focus on removing the firearms and the violent individuals from the streets; this is the second time in the last ten years that this individual has been arrested for firearm violations. As an agency, we will not tolerate violent individuals who believe they are above the law.”
United States Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico, Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra said: “This significant arrest highlights the strategic coordination and collaboration of the United States Marshal Service and Homeland Security Investigations. Hainze Díaz Arroyo thought he would evade the authorities in Puerto Rico. The U.S. Marshals Service is committed to the safety of our community, we will never stop the search of violent fugitives who are trying to evade the law. As we have always pointed out, it is a matter of time before we knock on your door.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals are investigating the case, with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Zapata-Valladares, Deputy Chief of the Gang Unit, and AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo are prosecuting the case.
To report suspicious activities related to the illegal movement of firearms, call HSI San Juan’s 24/7 phone line at 787-729-6969.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
