Mexican Citizen Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-entry into United States

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Fernando Hernandez-Cruz, age 36, and a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty today to illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

As part of his guilty plea, Hernandez-Cruz admitted that he is an alien from Mexico, and that he was removed from the United States to Mexico at Hidalgo, Texas, on March 11, 2016.  On February 24, 2019, Hernandez Cruz was encountered as part of a group of five individuals arrested by a Border Patrol Agent just south of the international border between the United States and Canada, after they entered the United States without inspection approximately four miles east of the Fort Covington Port of Entry.  A fingerprint check of Hernandez Cruz resulted in the discovery of the 2016 removal.  Hernandez Cruz admitted that he returned to the United States without permission.   

As a result of his conviction, Hernandez-Cruz faces up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby on May 6, 2019.  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 Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.