Federal prosecutors have recently stepped up their efforts against individuals who allegedly re-entered the U.S. illegally after being deported. According to a press release from the Justice Department, 126 defendants, many with prior felony convictions, are now facing charges for illegal re-entry.
With the aid of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal law enforcement partners, the offenders were charged over the past week. Individuals with past convictions for serious crimes such as manslaughter and offenses against children are among the defendants. "The U.S. Attorney’s Office is enforcing long-standing immigration laws, and Illegal aliens who defy lawful removal orders by returning to this nation will be prosecuted," Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally said. He continued to affirm, "These charges promote respect for the immigration laws," as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California.
The operation, which brought nearly three dozen arrests, took place across Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and Riverside. Under U.S. law, those found in the country following removal face up to two years in federal prison, with heightened sentences of up to 10 or 20 years for those with prior felony or aggravated felony convictions, respectively.
Among the cases highlighted was that of Ricardo Reynoso-Garcia, convicted of voluntary manslaughter and other crimes, and Oscar Parra-Reyes, with convictions including unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Other defendants include Luis Roberto Calderon Collantes, found with connections to fentanyl trafficking, and Valentin Vidal-Lopez, previously convicted of attempted murder, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California.
This recent enforcement action involved collaboration among multiple agencies, including the FBI, DEA, Marshals Service, CBP, ATF, and State Department's Diplomatic Security Service. Prosecution of cases is being managed by Assistant United States Attorneys from the Domestic Security and Immigration Crimes Section and the General Crimes Section.
