Mexican Citizen Admits Illegal Re-entry Into United States

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Otoniel Perez-Gonzalez, age 29, and a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty yesterday to illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

Perez-Gonzalez was removed from the United States to Mexico on three prior occasions, the most recent removal occurring on March 8, 2009. On April 27, 2017, he was a passenger in a minivan that was stopped by Border Patrol in Ellenburg, New York. A fingerprint check of Perez-Gonzalez resulted in the discovery of the prior removals.

Aa result of his conviction, Perez-Gonzalez 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 Thomas J. McAvoy on August 16, 2017. 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 Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.