A Mexican national with a past conviction for vehicular homicide in Louisiana has found himself in federal custody once again, this time on charges of illegal re-entry into the United States. Arturo Olalde-Velazquez, 40, was detained after being arrested in December 2024 by local authorities in Falls County for multiple offenses, including driving while intoxicated, illegal weapon possession, and controlled substance possession. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas, following his arrest, Olalde-Velazquez was transferred to federal custody for allegedly returning to the U.S. after being deported in December 2019.
Olalde-Velazquez's 2016 vehicular homicide conviction led to his initial removal from the U.S. He now faces a felony charge for illegal re-entry, which could result in a sentence of up to 10 years of federal prison time. Being sentenced, a federal district court judge will take into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors before determining any actual penalties he may receive, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas.
Margaret Leachman, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, announced the current charges against Olalde-Velazquez, shedding light on his prior conviction and detailing his latest alleged illegal return. The case is being investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Gloff.
In this instance, Olalde-Velazquez will await trial where the justice system defines his guilt, if any, beyond a reasonable doubt. "A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," stated a press release from the Justice Department.
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