Removed Alien Charged with Illegally Returning to United States

PITTSBURGH - An illegal alien found in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of Illegal Re-Entry After Deportation, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on October 31, 2017, named Jose Bedoya-Pelaez, age 35, of Guatemala, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Jose Bedoya-Pelaez, an illegal alien, was formally removed from the United States by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 13, 2011. Jose Bedoya-Pelaez was found to be illegally present on October 10, 2017.

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, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney James T. Kitchen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. 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.