Deported Alien Charged with Illegally Re-entering United States

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A citizen of El Salvador has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of re-entry of an illegal alien, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Walter F. Melgar, 41, of Blair County, Pa.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on Dec. 29, 2015, Melgar, an alien who had been deported from the United States on Dec. 9, 1996, was found in Blair County, Pa.  He had unlawfully re-entered this Country without receiving permission from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to do so.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. 

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.