Elkton Man Charged with Illegal Reentry

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Elkton, South Dakota, resident has been charged with for illegally reentering the US after being deported.

Guadalupe Mejia-Ramirez, age 24, a citizen of Mexico, was charged by federal complaint on May 10, 2012, for illegal reentry after deportation. He appeared before US Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on May 11, 2012, and pled not guilty to the complaint. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 2 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Mejia-Ramirez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant US Attorney Connie Larson is prosecuting the case. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal. A trial date has not yet been set.