Mexican National Man Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States

Defendant had two prior removals for illegally entering the United States

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  Javier Leon Villagomez was sentenced to “time served” and immediately remanded for deportation proceedings for the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Villagomez,  40, of Guanajato, Mexico, was taken into ICE custody at the conclusion of the hearing.  Villagomez  pled guilty on August 9, 2018 and had been in federal custody since May 12, 2018.   United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the work of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

“Individuals illegally enter our country over and over again,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We will prosecute them each and every time and deport them – unless they follow the rules.”

On May 12, 2018,  Villagomez  was arrested for domestic violence charges near Ravenswood, Jackson County, West Virginia by officers working for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.  In investigating the case, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department contacted ICE to confirm Villagomez’s legal status. ICE agents spoke to Villagomez, and confirmed that he was not legally present in the United States. ICE agents further submitted Villagomez fingerprints for a forensic examination.  The results of the examination matched Villagomez to two prior removals from the United States.  One prior removal was in 2007 and the second in 2008, both from the Milwaukee, Wisconson area.  After being deported on two separate occasions, Villagomez  then illegally reentered the United States without lawful permission from the Secretary of Homeland Security. Villagomez is a citizen of Mexico.

Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution.  United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.

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