Deported Honduran Facing Immigration Violation

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Yoro, Honduras has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of violating federal immigration laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Mario Roberto Villatoro-Castro, 38, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about April 12, 2013, Villatoro-Castro was found to be unlawfully present within the United States. Villatoro-Castro had been previously ordered deported and removed from the United States on July 22, 2002 and was removed from the United States on August 8, 2002. The defendant subsequently reentered the United States, and was found to be present in this country without the permission from either the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 2 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christine A. Sanner is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Kirtland Hills, Ohio Police Department and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.