Three Charged With Improper Entry Into The United States

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, announced that three individuals were charged with being in the United States illegally in separate cases.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Informations were filed Monday against: Adolfo Lopez-Perez, age 24, and Antonio Rios, age 42, natives and citizens of Mexico, both found in Adams County and Tomas Justino Mercado-Mendoza, age 26, a native and citizen of El Salvador, found in York County. The three came to the attention of authorities after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

     The investigations were conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and are being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Alice Song Hartye.

     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.

     In these particular cases, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is six months’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 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.