Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick has announced indictments against three individuals on charges of illegal reentry into the United States. These defendants were previously convicted of serious felonies, including child molestation and criminal sexual conduct.
The federal grand jury has indicted Luis Gerardo Gomez-Esteban, 35, for reentering the U.S. after being removed on May 8, 2019. His previous convictions include several child molestation charges in Thurston County, Washington. Additionally, Gomez-Esteban did not register as a sex offender upon his return to the country.
Jose Alfredo Ojeda-Garcia, 33, faces charges for being in the U.S. following his conviction for criminal sexual conduct in Faribault County, Minnesota. He was removed from the country on three occasions: April 23, 2012; May 26, 2021; and January 29, 2022.
Sotero Ortiz-Sanchez, 37, was found in the U.S. after his conviction for attempted burglary in Lancaster County, Nebraska. He was initially removed on January 28, 2009.
These cases stem from investigations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.