2 Aliens Indicted on Illegal Reentry Charges

RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned an indictment charging RICARDO CONTRERAS-MENDOZA, age 33, of Mexico and FERNAND JUAN JOSE LEWIS, age 39, of Canada, with illegal reentry of a deported alien. 

If convicted of illegal reentry of a deported alien, CONTRERAS-MENDOZA, found in Johnston County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

If convicted of illegal reentry of an aggravated felon, LEWIS, found in Wake County, would face maximum penalties of twenty years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The case is being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.