Multiple Removed Aliens Plead Guilty To Immigration Crimes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In three separate cases, two Mexican Nationals and a Guatamalan National entered guilty pleas to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Multiple defendants.  Multiple prior deportations.  Repeat offenders.  These are three of many, many similar cases that this district has prosecuted in the past few months,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We seek to prosecute every reentry case involving someone who is here illegally, repeatedly, against the laws of the United States.  The number of these cases is growing in this district.  This is an area of real concern to ensure the safety of the citizens.”

Mexican National Sebastian Gonzalez-Cid, 26, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2019, and is also subject to deportation proceedings.   On December 6, 2018, Gonzalez-Cid was found in a Huntington, West Virginia apartment complex by members of ICE after receiving a tip that a person was in the country illegally and living in Huntington.  Agents approached Gonzalez-Cid, who confirmed his name, offered a Mexican identification, and admitted he was not in the United States legally.  Agents immediately confirmed that Gonzalez-Cid was not in the United States legally, and took him into federal custody.  Gonzalez-Cid’s fingerprints matched him to a 2017 prior encounter in South Charleston, West Virginia where he was found in West Virginia and deported from the United States. Gonzalez-Cid reentered the United States without obtaining legal permission to do so.

Guatamalan National Marcus Tojin Tiu, 25, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2019.  Tojin Tiu is also subject to deportation proceedings.  On October 30, 2019, Tojin Tiu was found in Barboursville, West Virginia by members of ICE after receiving a tip that a person was in the country illegally and working at a restaurant in Barboursville, West Virginia.  Agents approached Tojin Tiu, who immediately admitted he was not in the United States legally and offered them a Guatemalan identification. Agents promptly confirmed that Tojin Tiu was not in the United States legally, and took him into federal custody.  Tojin Tiu’s  fingerprints matched him to a 2012 prior encounter in Harlingen, Texas where he was found in Texas and deported from the United States. Tojin Tiu reentered the United States without obtaining legal permission to do so.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is responsible for the prosecutions. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearings.

Gilberto Espino-Velasquez, 41,  faces up to two years of in prison when he is sentenced on March 7, 2019.  Espino-Velasquez is also subject to deportation proceedings at the conclusion of any sentence.   On November 8, 2018, Espino-Velasquez was found in Nitro, Kanawha County, West Virginia by members of ICE after receiving a tip that individuals were in the country illegally and working on a construction crew in the area.  Pursuant to this investigation,  ICE agents approached Espino-Velasquez and he surrendered to them. Agents immediately confirmed that Espino-Velasquez was not in the United States legally, and took him into federal custody.  Espino-Velasquez’s  fingerprints matched him to three prior encounters in 2003 where he was found in the United States illegally and deported from the United States to Mexico.  He was also previously convicted of illegally entering the United States in September 8, 2003 in the Western District of Texas.   Espino-Velasquez again illegally reentered the United States prior to his capture in 2018.  Espino-Velasquez had not obtained permission to legally enter the United States and had not sought legal status or citizenship.  Espino-Velasquez also admitted to ICE agents that he was a Mexican citizen.  Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. presided over the hearing.

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