Deported Jamaican Re-entered United States without Homeland Security Permission

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A citizen of Jamaica pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of re-entry of an illegal alien, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Hubert E. Minott, 31, of North Miami Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty to the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on Feb. 6, 2014, Minott, an alien who had been deported from the United States on June 12, 2008, was found in Somerset County, Pa. He had unlawfully re-entered this country without receiving permission from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to do so.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 19, 2016, at 10 a.m. 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 that led to the prosecution of Minott.