Removed Alien Charged With Illegally ReEntering United States
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, April 27, 2010, that Javier Gomez‑Velazquez of Mexico has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal immigration laws.
According to the one‑count indictment presented to the court, Gomez‑Velazquez is an alien who was removed from the United States on or about April 18, 2003, and then reentered the United States and was found in Allegheny County on or about April 13, 2010, without having applied for and received permission from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than two years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, 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.
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Turtle Creek Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the United States must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
