Deported Alien Charged with Illegally Re-entering United States

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A citizen of Mexico has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of re-entry of an illegal alien, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment named Jorge Ceballos-Ponce, 54, of Blair County, Pa.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on Nov. 16, 2016 Ceballos-Ponce, an alien who had been deported from the United States on Apr. 24, 2007, was found in Blair County, Pa. He had unlawfully reentered this Country without receiving permission to do so from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of twenty 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 Stephanie L. Haines, 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.