Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States

Defendant had a prior removal for illegally entering the United States

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  Ezequias De Los Santos-Ruiz was sentenced for the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Santos-Ruiz, 23, of Oaxaca, Mexico received a “time served” sentence and was immediately remanded into ICE custody for administrative deportation proceedings. He has been in federal custody since March 15, 2018—over five months.  United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the work of the West Virginia State Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

“We have prosecuted a significant number of immigration cases since I became United States Attorney,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We will continue to prosecute every one of these cases until all those entering this country do so by abiding by the laws of the United States of America.”

On March 15, 2018,  Santos-Ruiz was a passenger in a car that was stopped by the West Virginia State Police near Beaver, Raleigh County, West Virginia.  Once stopped, he offered to the Trooper a Mexican Identification document.  The Trooper immediately contacted ICE agents to confirm alienage.  ICE spoke to Santos-Ruiz and confirmed that he was not legally present in the United States. ICE agents drove to the area and placed Santos-Ruiz under arrest.  ICE agents further submitted Santos-Ruiz’s  fingerprints for a forensic examination.  The results of the examination matched him to a prior removal from the United States in 2017 from Kingsville, Texas.  After being deported, Santos-Ruiz illegally reentered the United States without lawful permission from the Secretary of Homeland Security. Santos-Ruiz is a citizen of Mexico.  He entered a guilty plea on June 13, 2018.

Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution.  Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing.

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