Removed Alien Sentenced To Time Served For Re-entering United States Without Permission

PITTSBURGH - A citizen of Mexico, plead guilty and has been sentenced in federal court to time served (5 ½ months incarceration) on his conviction of violating federal immigration laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Joel Sanchez-Lara, 38, of Mexico.

According to information presented to the court, on or about Sept. 8, 2014, Sanchez-Lara was found in Carnegie, Pa., after having unlawfully re-entered the United States following removal on three previous occasions and not having applied for or received permission to re-enter.

Assistant United States Attorney Margaret E. Picking prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sanchez-Lara.