Mexican Citizen Charged With Violating Federal Immigration Laws
ERIE, Pa. ‑ A resident of Chiapas, Mexico, 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 Imar Mateo‑Francisco, 25, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about July 17, 2010, Mateo-Francisco was found to be unlawfully present within the United States. Mateo‑Francisco had been previously ordered deported and removed from the United States on Sept. 26, 2007 and was removed from the United States on Sept. 29, 2007. The defendant subsequently reentered the United States, and was found to be present in this country without the permission of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of two 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 Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the Chautauqua, New York Sheriff's Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
