A man from Mexico, Carlos Ambriz Estrada, residing in Catoosa, has been indicted for illegally reentering the United States, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Estrada, 53, faces charges of unlawful reentry after being previously deported in January 2006. "After serving time in prison for killing his 38-day-old son, Ambriz Estrada was deported. That did not stop him from unlawfully returning to the United States and living in our community," expressed U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. "Prosecutors are working in coordinated efforts with law enforcement to help keep the citizens in the Northern District safe from violent criminals like Ambriz Estrada."
Josh Johnson, acting Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office, also commented: "This subject’s criminal record underscores the significant danger he represents to our community, particularly with the serious charge and conviction for killing his own child. Our officers remain committed to enhancing public safety by apprehending and removing criminal aliens who violate immigration laws."
Court documents indicate that the Fugitive Operations Team with Immigration Customs Enforcement began investigating Estrada in March due to his past conviction of deliberate homicide in Montana and the suspicion that he might unlawfully be in the U.S. They found out Estrada was living in Catoosa without permission.
In 1994, Estrada confessed guilty to deliberate homicide. Montana law enforcement was alerted to apparent child abuse when Estrada and his wife took their 36-day-old baby to hospital. Medical examinations revealed evidence of abuse. Estrada admitted that he reacted violently towards the baby due to anger towards his wife. After sustaining injuries, the baby was declared brain dead.
Estrada was given a 40-year prison sentence and served nearly a decade. Post-release in 2006, he was deported.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Removal Operations, and Homeland Security Investigations are handling the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ammon Brisolara prosecuting.
The indictment against Estrada is an allegation, and he remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
This case is aligned with Operation Take Back America, a comprehensive strategy by the Department of Justice aimed at halting illegal immigration and combating transnational criminal activities.