The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) has announced that federal grand juries in the Northern District of Ohio have returned indictments for several individuals charged with immigration-related violations. These cases are separate and unrelated.
Ana Alvarez-Limonche, a 20-year-old citizen of Venezuela, faces charges of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents related to fraudulent permanent resident and Social Security cards. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
Gildardo Alvarez-Rodriguez, a 59-year-old citizen of Mexico, has been charged with illegal reentry into the United States. He was previously deported, with his last removal on September 24, 2020. The CBP led the investigation.
Franklin Calix-Romero, 34, from Honduras, is charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person involving a Ruger 9mm semiautomatic pistol and ammunition. A joint FBI/State/Local Task Force conducted the investigation.
Jose Cruz-Aguilar, 41, also from Mexico, is charged with illegal reentry, having been removed previously, the latest on February 27, 2017. His case was investigated by a joint FBI/State/Local Task Force.
Carlos Garcia-Garcia, 45, from Mexico, faces illegal reentry charges after his removal on February 19, 2005. The investigation was handled by the CBP.
Jhofran Andres Laya-Gutierrez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan, faces multiple charges, including assaulting a federal officer, document fraud, and falsifying Social Security information. The investigation was a joint effort by the CBP and the FBI Toledo Field Office.
Jeyson Martinez, also known as Jayson Martinez-Juarez, 32, from Honduras, is charged with illegal reentry following his removal on November 23, 2018. The CBP conducted the investigation.
Jose Maximiliano Zepeda-Gutierrez, a 45-year-old Guatemalan, is charged with illegal reentry after being removed on July 10, 2019. He had prior convictions for conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien in 2018. The FBI Toledo Field Office investigated the case.
An indictment is a formal charge and not evidence of guilt. Each defendant has the right to a fair trial where the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
"The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review" of unique factors, including prior criminal records, the defendant’s role, and the characteristics of the offense. The sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and will usually be less.
A team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the USAO’s criminal division will prosecute these cases. They are part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing illegal immigration and eliminating criminal organizations.