Fourth unlawful entry lands Mexican citizen in prison

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 36-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of illegal re-entry into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Raul Catalino Vasquez-Estrada, Ciudad Altamirano, Guerrero, Mexico, pleaded guilty May 4.

Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ordered Vasquez-Estrada to serve 50 months in federal prison. The court also ordered him to serve an additional seven months for violating his conditions of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, Vasquez-Estrada is again expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence of Vazquez-Estrada’s previous criminal history.

On March 1, authorities arrested Raul Catalino Estrada-Vasquez approximately 2.9 miles west of the Gateway Port of Entry in Brownsville. Estrada-Vasquez did not possess any documents that allowed him to be or remain in the United States legally. 

Estrada-Vasquez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado prosecuted the case.