Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Andrew Birge, announced that Eduardo Lopez-Escarrega, a Mexican citizen, has been convicted of Aggravated Felon Reentry by a federal jury. Lopez-Escarrega previously faced convictions for cocaine dealing in Indiana and illegal reentry following an aggravated felony conviction. Despite opting for a trial this time, he was found guilty and now faces additional prison time before being deported again. Sentencing is set for July 29 in Lansing.
"Lopez-Escarrega is a clear threat to the safety of our communities, not only through his repeated violation of our immigration laws but also his felony drug conviction for dealing cocaine," said ICE ERO Detroit Field Office Director Robert Lynch. He further commended the cooperation and effort of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, ICE Grand Rapids and Chicago officers, and the prosecutors involved in the case.
The case was a result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donald Daniels and Timothy VerHey.