Mexican National Sentenced to 18 Months for Immigration Offense

HAMMOND – Miguel Angel Garcia-Ortiz, 36 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien with a prior conviction allegation, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Miguel Angel Garcia-Ortiz was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term will go into effect if Garcia-Ortiz remains in, or returns to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.

According to documents in the case, Garcia-Ortiz was previously removed from the United States on three prior occasions in December 2012, October 2015, and April 2018. Garcia-Ortiz has been convicted twice of driving while intoxicated in Texas and convicted twice for illegal re-entry in the Western District of Texas in October 2015 and August 2017. 

“Garcia-Ortiz was found in the Northern District of Indiana when he was arrested by the Whiting Police Department for Public Intoxication. An investigation revealed that he was an illegal alien who was previously removed three times in 2012, 2015, and 2018, two of which followed federal convictions for illegal re-entry. By his own admission, he returned to the United States without inspection by an immigration officer. Each time he has done so, he has violated our nation’s laws, borders, and sovereignty. Once he is released, Garcia-Ortiz must return to his home country and not return to the United States illegally,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nadia Wardrip.