ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An illegal alien from El Salvador, who recently was convicted in state court of taking indecent liberties with a child, pleaded guilty today to illegally reentering the United States after he previously was deported in 2004.

“Carrero Alas illegally entered the United States, was deported at taxpayer expense, returned illegally a second time and recently was convicted of a sex offense against a minor who was in his care,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will continue to make these cases a priority and will work closely with our local and state partners to not only promote the rule of law, but also protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”

According to court documents, Oscar Saul Carrero Alas, 37, a citizen of El Salvador, was removed from the United States in October 2004, after having illegally entered the country by crossing the Rio Grande River. Carrero Alas reentered the United States, again without permission, and he subsequently was arrested in Prince William County in January 2018 for violations of state law. In June 2019, Carrero Alas was convicted of taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship, possession of cocaine, and obscene exhibition, all in violation of Virginia law.

Carrero Alas pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after removal and faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison when sentenced on January 17, 2020. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Russell Hott, Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston, Jr. accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Smalky and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Grady are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:19-cr-318.