Convicted Felon Sentenced For Being In The U.S. Illegally

CONTACT:  Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX #:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Cesar Cruz-Perez, 35, of Mexico, who was convicted of being a removed alien found in the United States subsequent to a conviction for an aggravated felony, was sentenced to 21 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Cantil, who handled the case, stated that on August 9, 2017, the defendant, a citizen of Mexico, was located in Clarence, NY. Cruz-Perez admitted to law enforcement officers that he was illegally present in the United States. A subsequent record check determined that in 2004, the defendant was convicted in New Jersey of possessing a Controlled Dangerous Substance on school property, a felony offense. Cruz-Perez was also previously removed to Mexico on two separate occasions in 2007.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Steven Oldman.