El Salvador Undocumented Alien Sentenced For Illegal Re-entry Into U.S.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Jimmy Stanley Brizuela, 43, has been ordered to prison following his conviction of illegal re-entry after removal/deportation, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. A jury convicted Brizuela, a citizen of El Salvador, on May 13, 2014, following a two-day trial and approximately two hours of deliberation.

Today, U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen, who presided over the trial, handed Brizuela a total of 30 months in federal prison.  As an illegal alien, Brizuela is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.

Brizuela entered the U.S. near the Rio Grande River area west of Brownsville. He and several others had waded across the river carrying bicycles which they then used to try to elude Border Patrol agents. Upon his arrest, Brizuela was determined to be an undocumented alien and citizen of El Salvador who had entered the U.S. illegally. It was further discovered that he had been previously removed from the country just three weeks before - April 5, 2013. 

The jury also heard that he was a convicted felon who had been convicted of several felony offenses including possession of stolen property in 1998.

Brizuela testified at trial and admitted to being a former MS18-Mara Salvatucha gang member. He stated he had joined the gang here in the U.S. several years prior and that he returned to avoid other gangs in El Salvador.

Brizuela will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

This case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Oscar Ponce is prosecuting.