Three Mexican nationals, previously convicted of various criminal offenses, have been sentenced in federal court for illegally reentering the United States after deportation, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced. Ezequiel Andres-Antonio, 42, received a 12-month prison term; Edward Nunez, 45, was handed 19 months; and Martin Reyes-Hernandez, 37, will spend 13 months behind bars for their respective unlawful returns to the U.S. soil.
These cases, investigated by ICE, showcase the continuing efforts to enforce immigration law following the suspects' guilty pleas earlier this year according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of North Carolina. Andres-Antonio, with a prior aggravated felony conviction for a drug-related offense, pleaded guilty on March 14, Nunez, with a background that includes conspiracy to commit robbery and drug possession, did so on February 3, and Reyes-Hernandez, with larceny and assault convictions in his past, entered his plea on April 4.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar emphasized the importance of these sentences, saying that people who break the law by reentering the U.S. after being removed, especially after committing felonies, will face consequences. These cases show the legal penalties for repeat offenders who try to return illegally after being deported for serious crimes.
The men were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan, with case numbers 5:24-cr-00269-FL for Andres-Antonio, 7:25-cr-00011-FL for Nunez, and 5:25-cr-00041-FL for Reyes-Hernandez; the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the offenses, taking a hard line on illegal reentry after deportation to maintain the integrity of U.S. borders and uphold the rule of law.
