Mexican national living in Canton indicted on drug trafficking and immigration charges

A Mexican national living in Canton was indicted on cocaine trafficking and immigration charges, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging Rodolfo Trejo, aka Rudy, 38, with distribution of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and illegal re-entry following deportation.

Counts 1 through 3 of the indictment allege that Trejo distributed cocaine on or about August 17, September 7 and September 22, 2016.

Count 4 of the indictment alleges that Trejo possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine on or about December 1, 2016.

Count 5 of the indictment alleges that Trejo, a citizen of Mexico and an alien, who after previously having been removed and deported from the United States in 2013, to Mexico, was found illegally back in the United States.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Canton Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason M. Katz.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.