Illegal aliens admit to reentry charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Mexican nationals have admitted to a reentry of a removed alien charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Juan Mendez-Patishtan, age 34, and Filberto Reyes-Vazquez, age 49, each pled guilty to one count of “Reentry of a Removed Alien.” Mendez-Patishtan admitted to reentering the United States illegally after being removed six separate times from 2010 to 2016. Reyes-Vazquez is accused of reentering the United States illegally after being removed in May 2016. The men were found in Harrison County in April 2018.

Mendez-Patishtan faces up to two years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Reyes-Vazquez was sentenced to time served and one year supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the plea hearings.

Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided over the sentencing.