The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on January 27, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, ULYSIS BARRIOS-SOTO, a 34-year-old citizen of Mexico, appeared for sentencing. BARRIOS-SOTO was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 62 months

• Special Assessment: $100

• Supervised Release: 3 years

BARRIOS-SOTO was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to illegal re-entry.

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

On October 11, 2010, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered BARRIOS-SOTO while conducting a train check of the westbound Amtrak train in Havre. When questioned as to his citizenship, BARRIOS-SOTO stated that he was born in Mexico and is a citizen of Mexico, but his father was working on arranging his papers. When asked if he had any immigration documents, he had none, but instead presented a valid Illinois Identification card.

A fingerprint analysis revealed several criminal and immigration violations. A review of immigration records found that BARRIOS-SOTO had previously been deported from the United States through Laredo, Texas, on July 14, 2000.

A further review of immigration records revealed no evidence that BARRIOS-SOTO ever applied for or obtained the permission of the United States Attorney General or his successor, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, to reenter the United States.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that BARRIOS-SOTO will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, BARRIOS-SOTO does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

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

 

 

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