LOS ANGELES, California — According to the Justice Department, federal prosecutors have charged 126 defendants with illegally reentering the United States after being removed.
Many of the defendants had prior felony convictions for manslaughter and crimes against children.
The charges were filed in federal courts in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and Riverside as part of recent immigration enforcement efforts, which resulted in nearly three dozen arrests in the last week.
The crime of being discovered in the United States after removal carries a minimum sentence of up to two years in federal prison.
Defendants previously removed due to felony convictions face a maximum 10-year sentence, while those with aggravated felony convictions face up to 20 years.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is enforcing long-standing immigration laws, and illegal aliens who violate lawful removal orders by returning to this country will face prosecution,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “These charges promote compliance with immigration laws.
Individuals charged in the last week include sex offenders, drug dealers, violent criminals, and others who endanger the public.
“This result represents a brand new, whole-of-government approach to immigration enforcement,” stated Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Acting Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco.
“Our primary goal, along with our federal law enforcement partners, is to ensure those who commit transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, financial fraud, and child exploitation can no longer commit it in the U.S.”
Those charged include Ricardo Reynoso-Garcia, 59, of Arleta, who was previously convicted of voluntary manslaughter and fraud, and Oscar Parra-Reyes, 50, of El Monte, who has prior convictions for drug offenses and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.
Luis Roberto Calderon Collantes, 52, of Rialto, was removed from the United States in 2021 after being convicted of transporting methamphetamine. According to court documents, all of the defendants are Mexican nationals.
