A Wilkinsburg neighborhood shaken last summer by an alleged child-luring attempt is now watching the case play out in federal court. Federal prosecutors say Ever Antonio Cerrato-Orellano, 41, was indicted Tuesday in Pittsburgh on a single count of illegal reentry after his arrest in Wilkinsburg on or about June 29, 2025, when police say he tried to lure a group of children into a home near an alley around Center and Ewing streets.
In a press release via the U.S. Attorney's Office, prosecutors said a federal grand jury returned the indictment Tuesday and named Cerrato-Orellano as the sole defendant in the one-count illegal-reentry case. “Ever Cerrato-Orellano has remained undeterred from criminal conduct despite his numerous removals from the United States and multiple convictions here,” U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti said in the release, which also noted that ICE worked with Wilkinsburg police on the investigation.
What Happened In Wilkinsburg
According to WPXI, police charged Cerrato-Orellano after officers said he offered money and tried to lure five children into a home near Center and Ewing streets, then chased them and claimed to be a police officer when they rode away. Local reporting by WTAE added that the children's mother led officers to a nearby porch where the suspect was found and that a judge later denied bail, citing flight risk and public-safety concerns.
Federal Charge And Criminal History
The indictment, prosecutors said, alleges immigration officials encountered Cerrato-Orellano following the Wilkinsburg arrest and that he had been removed from the United States five separate times between 2010 and 2016, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The release also lists prior convictions, including illegal reentry in New Mexico, possession of marijuana in Florida, theft, tampering with government records, and driving under the influence in Texas. Prosecutors note the offense carries a statutory maximum of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hillary M. Weaver and Lee A. Fry is prosecuting the matter.
Next Steps And Community Concern
The federal indictment moves the matter into the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, with arraignment and pretrial scheduling expected next as the case proceeds through the federal system. Neighbors and parents told local outlets they were relieved the children were safe after the 2025 arrest, a sentiment reflected in earlier coverage of relief that the children were safe. Immigration authorities will remain involved in custody and removal decisions as the criminal case unfolds.
Legal Implications
An indictment is an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted of illegal reentry under federal law, Cerrato-Orellano faces the statutory penalties described by prosecutors and would also remain subject to immigration removal proceedings.
