Deported Alien Charged With Illegally Re-Entering U.S.

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, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Miguel Cortez-Cagal, 32, of Altoona, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on April 10, 2013, Cortez-Cagal, an alien who had been deported from the United States on Jan. 19, 2010, was found in Altoona, 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 two 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.