Two Largo Ministers Plead Guilty To Illegal Reentry Charges

Tampa, FL – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that Anner Javier Maldonado-Reyes (39, Largo) and Maria Guadalupe Maldonado (38, Largo) have both pleaded guilty to illegal reentry into the United States. Each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to court records, Maldonado-Reyes and Maldonado have admitted to being citizens of Honduras, to illegally reentering the United States after prior deportations, and to having no legal status in the United States. Maldonado-Reyes was removed from the United States in February 1999 and in February 2008. His 1999 removal came after a conviction in Los Angeles County, California, for possession of cocaine base for sale.

Maria Guadalupe Maldonado was removed from the United States in October 1996, following a conviction in Los Angeles County for transportation/sale of a controlled substance.

Government records indicate that Anner and Maria Maldonado are the founders of, and employed as ministers in, the church Ministerio Internacional Jesucristo Es Mi Refugio, located at 1550 Belcher Road South in Largo.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, with assistance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray.