Four Men Indicted for Illegally Re-entering United States after Deportation

BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted four Mexican nationals for illegally re-entering the United States after previous deportation, two following felony convictions, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ray Parmer.

Separate and unrelated indictments charge FELIPE MARTINEZ-ARRELLANES, 35, MIKE SIERRA, 40, RICARDO VASQUEZ-ALFEREZ, 38, and FRANCISCO VERA-MARTIN, 46, as foreign aliens who illegally re-entered the United States.

According to the indictment against Vasquez-Alferez, he was in Marshall County on Feb. 4 after having been removed from the United States to Mexico in July 2009 following his conviction for an aggravated felony. The maximum penalty for that charge is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to Martinez-Arrellanes’ indictment, he was found in Tuscaloosa County on Jan. 18 after having been removed to Mexico in June 2013 following a felony conviction. The maximum penalty for that charge is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Sierra’s indictment charges he was found in Tuscaloosa County on Dec. 6 after removal from the United States in February 2016 and in July 2014. Vera-Martin was found in Jefferson County on Nov. 14 after having been removed from the country in December 2010 and in August 2017, according to his indictment. The maximum penalty for illegal re-entry is two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI investigated the cases, which are being prosecuted in the Northern District of Alabama.

An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###