Illegal alien from Mexico arrested in Calcasieu Parish pleads guilty to illegally reentering country

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that an illegal alien from Mexico pleaded guilty Tuesday to reentering the United States after being deported.

Raul Delacruz-Valdez, 31, of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. According to the guilty plea, Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop on Delacruz-Valdez’s vehicle on March 20, 2017 in Calcasieu Parish. He was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. After his arrest, law enforcement agents discovered that he was an illegal alien who had reentered the United States without obtaining permission. He had previously been removed October 18, 2010.

Delacruz-Valdez faces up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for July 26, 2018.

Homeland Security Investigations and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.