Criminal Immigration Charges Brought Against Two Illegal Aliens

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) announced today announced today that charges in two unrelated cases were brought against the following persons in Harrisburg.

     Jose Parada-Rodriguez, age 27, a native and citizen of El Salvador, in the United States illegally was charged in a one-count indictment alleging that Parada-Rodriguez, an alien who has previously been arrested and deported from the United States in May 2011, did knowingly and unlawfully reenter the United States and was apprehended in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

     If convicted, Parada-Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

     Omar Hernandez-Garfias, age 29, a native and citizen of Mexico, in the United States illegally was charged in a one-count indictment alleging that Hernandez-Garfias, an alien who has previously been arrested and deported from the United States in July 2007, did knowingly and unlawfully reenter the United States and was apprehended in Adams, Pennsylvania.

     If convicted, Hernandez-Garfias faces a maximum sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

     This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.

     Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

     A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

     Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.