Undocumented Alien Handed 10-Year Sentence for Illegally Re-Entering the Country

McALLEN, Texas – An undocumented alien with serious prior convictions has been ordered to serve 120 months in federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Tomas Aquino-Pacheco, 38, pleaded guilty June 28, 2017, to illegal re-entry after prior deportation or removal.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez imposed the lengthy sentence which was based on his prior criminal history. This was his second conviction for illegal re-entry, the first of which he served 33 months in federal prison. He was also convicted in 1999 for an offense involving more than 40 kilograms of cocaine and sentenced to 120 months imprisonment and again in 2012 for an offense involving more than 400 kilograms of marijuana for which he was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment.

On April 6, 2017, Border Patrol agents encountered Aquino near Hidalgo. They confirmed he was an undocumented alien who had illegally entered the United States. He had most recently been deported just a few months earlier on Nov. 30, 2016, following his previous release from prison.

Aquino will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Not a U.S. citizen, Aquino is again expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.

Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Rees prosecuted the case.