Four Aliens Indicted on Illegal Reentry Charges and Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution

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 indictments charging JUAN CHAVEZ-MORALES, age 42, of Mexico, GUADALUPE VASQUEZ, age 34, of Mexico, and VICTOR RODOLFO RIOS-LOPEZ, age 30, of Mexico, with illegal reentry of a deported alien.   

Additionally, a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned an indictment charging JESUS MENDEZ-ROCHA, age 40, of Mexico, with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

If convicted of illegal reentry of a deported alien, CHAVEZ-MORALES, previously deported three times and 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 subsequent to a felony conviction, VASQUEZ, previously deported four times and found in New Hanover County after being convicted of possession/purchase for sale narcotic/controlled substance, and RIOS-LOPEZ, previously deported three times and found in Wake County after being convicted of reentry of a previously removed alien, would face a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

According to a criminal complaint, MENDEZ-ROCHA was wanted in Brunswick County on charges of Incest and Sex Acts by a Substitute Parent. Court records further indicate that MENDEZ-ROCHA had returned to Mexico soon after being confronted with the allegations. MENDEZ-ROCHA was charged in a criminal complaint with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution after being arrested by the United States Border Patrol under the name “Jesus Mendez-Bellanira” for illegally entering into the United States. If convicted, MENDEZ-ROCHA would face a maximum imprisonment term of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

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

The cases are being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the United States Marshals Service.