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Press Release

Guatemalan Pleads Guilty to Immigration and SORNA Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A citizen of Guatemala pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of illegal re-entry after deportation and failing to register as a sex offender, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Edward Jacinto Garcia, 30, of Guatemala, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States Senior District Judge Gustave Diamond.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on July 6, 2015, Jacinto Garcia, an alien who, on October 6, 2011, had been deported and removed from the United States, and having reentered the United States without permission, was found in Butler County, Pennsylvania, after being arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence by the Butler Township Police Department. Jacinto Garcia had been deported following conviction in the State of Nebraska of Sexual Assault of a Minor, 1st degree, and serving a period of imprisonment. By reason of this sex offense, Jacinto Garcia was required to register as a sex offender under the provisions of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Jacinto Garcia had failed, as required, to register in the State of Pennsylvania, the state in which he was employed during the period June 2015 through July 6, 2015.

Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2016, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Jacinto Garcia remains in custody pending the sentencing hearing. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Jacinto Garcia.

Updated February 4, 2016

Topic
Immigration