Multiple defendants indicted for immigration violations

SAVANNAH, Georgia: Multiple defendants have been indicted by the September term of the federal Grand Jury in the Southern District of Georgia for Re-entry after Removal or Deportation, a charge applied to an illegal alien present in the United States after at least one prior removal.

Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced the indictments. Those facing federal charges include:

• Marla Irene Barrientos-Bustillo, 33, a citizen of Honduras, illegally in the U.S., apprehended in Glynn County.
• Francisco Campos Chino, 40, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., apprehended in Glynn County.
• Gerialan Humberto Cruz-Dionicio, 32, a citizen of Honduras illegally in the U.S., apprehended in Richmond County.
• Alejandro Lara Del Los Santos, 41, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., apprehended in McDuffie County.
• Sergio Mendez-Tuxtla, 50, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., apprehended in Chatham County.
• Edwin Antonio Pacheco-Rivera, 35, a citizen of Honduras illegally in the U.S., apprehended in Glynn County.
• Gaspar Ramirez-Diego, 21, a citizen of Guatemala illegally in the U.S., apprehended in Chatham County.
• Omar Rubio-Figueroa, 45, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., apprehended in Camden County.

Reentry after Removal or Deportation charges carry statutory penalties of up to two years in prison, followed by referral to immigration authorities for deportation. If a defendant’s removal is subsequent to a felony or aggravated felony, statutory penalties can be significantly more severe.

Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

These cases are being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and local law enforcement agencies and are being prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olivia C. Brame, Joshua Kyle Davis, Thomas M. Kent, Steven T. Poland, Kelsey L. Scanlon, and Darron J. Hubbard.