Dominican Republic Nationals Indicted for Illegally Reentering into the United States

St. Thomas, USVI – A federal Grand Jury today returned separate indictments against Ezequiel Rivera Gomez aka Francisco Mejia, 44, and Luis Miguel Recio Fernandez, 29, both Dominican Republic nationals, alleging that they illegally reentered the United States after having been previously deported, United States Attorney Gretchen Shappert announced. Both men remain in federal custody pending their individual trials.

The indictment against Gomez alleges that he was previously removed from the United States on or about March 1, 2016, after having been convicted of a drug trafficking offense. The indictment against Fernandez alleges that on or about July 20, 2012, he too was previously removed from the United States after committed a drug trafficking offense.

Under federal law, both men face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

These cases are being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.