Turkish Citizen Charged with Illegal Re-entry into U.S.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A citizen of Turkey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of illegal re-entry of a removed alien, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Izzet Kurt, 60, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about February 25, 2025, Kurt was found in western Pennsylvania after having been removed from the United States on or about March 15, 2018, following a conviction in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for conspiracy to bring unauthorized aliens to the U.S. for profit.

Because the defendant’s removal was subsequent to a conviction for commission of an aggravated felony, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $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 V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.