A man previously convicted of sex offenses has been arrested and charged with illegally reentering the United States. Carlos Gonzales Hernandez, a 55-year-old from El Salvador, is set to appear in federal court in Columbus.
The affidavit supporting the criminal complaint reveals that in August 2017, Gonzales Hernandez was convicted in Franklin County for three felony counts of gross sexual imposition. He was sentenced to six years in prison. In September 2022, he was deported following a final immigration order.
On January 2, Madison County sheriff’s deputies stopped Gonzales Hernandez for traffic violations. He was subsequently arrested and placed in the Tri-County Regional Jail in Mechanicsburg. Later, he was taken into federal custody and charged with illegal reentry into the United States. This offense carries a potential sentence of up to ten years imprisonment. However, if his previous conviction is classified as an aggravated felony, the penalty could increase to twenty years.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Robert Lynch, Field Office Director at ERO Detroit Field Office; announced the charge against Gonzales Hernandez. Assistant United States Attorney Sheila G. Lafferty is representing the government in this case.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains only allegations, and defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty in court.