Guatemalan Man Admits Illegal Re-entry into United States

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gerardo Froilan Lopez Velazquez, 51, of Guatemala, pled guilty today to illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Field Office Director Thomas E. Feeley, Buffalo, New York Field Office.

Lopez Velazquez was removed from the United States to Guatemala on January 30, 2014 and again on April 9, 2014.  On September 7, 2017, he was encountered and arrested by an ICE officer in Middleburgh, New York. A fingerprint check of Lopez Velazquez resulted in the discovery of the prior removals.  Lopez Velazquez admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the 2014 removals.   

As a result of his conviction, Lopez Velazquez faces up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence E. Kahn on February 1, 2018.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.    

This case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Albany, NY, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.