Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on October 14, 2009, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, ALFREDO MIGUEL-MATEO, a 31-year-old citizen of Guatemala, pled guilty to illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien. Sentencing is set for January 13, 2010. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On July 15, 2009, MIGUEL-MATEO was encountered at the Greyhound Bus Station in Billings by an agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The agent observed him sitting in the bus station, and asked him in English where he was headed. MIGUEL-MATEO did not speak any English. When asked the same question in Spanish, MIGUEL-MATEO replied that he was traveling to Olympia, Washington. When asked as to his citizenship, MIGUEL-MATEO stated he was from Guatemala and admitted he did not have any documentation to be in or remain in the United States.

A fingerprint comparison found that MIGUEL-MATEO had been previously removed from the United States on August 22, 2003, at Houston, Texas.

A review of immigration records did not reveal any evidence that MIGUEL-MATEO had received permission from the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reenter the United States after being removed.

MIGUEL-MATEO faces possible penalties of 2 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 1 year supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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