Federal prosecutors have filed charges against 16 individuals accused of illegally re-entering the United States after being previously removed, according to an announcement from the Justice Department. The charges follow collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal law enforcement agencies.
Among those charged are individuals with prior felony convictions, including offenses such as sexual abuse of children. One defendant is facing a murder charge in state court related to an incident in Inglewood last month.
The offense of re-entering the U.S. after removal carries varying sentences: up to two years for general cases, up to ten years for those with previous felony convictions, and up to twenty years for aggravated felonies.
Several cases highlight the ongoing efforts:
In "United States v. Saravia-Sanchez," Jose Cristian Saravia-Sanchez from El Salvador was arrested by Inglewood Police following a February 25 incident involving a murder during an attempted catalytic converter theft. Federal authorities discovered Saravia had been removed in 2013 but returned illegally. At his arrest on March 6, he was found with a firearm after barricading himself in a hotel room.
"United States v. Marquina-Sierra" involves Francisco Marquina-Sierra from Mexico, who faces charges after returning to the U.S. despite being ordered removed in December 2013. His criminal record includes robbery and child abuse convictions.
Luis Enrique Barreto, another Mexican national and convicted sex offender, is charged under "United States v. Barreto" for failing to register as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) after returning illegally post-removal in September 2021.
All defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court proceedings.
The investigations were conducted by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations alongside Homeland Security Investigations and other agencies. Prosecution is handled by Assistant United States Attorneys within relevant sections focusing on domestic security, immigration crimes, and general crimes.