EL PASO, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, 60 illegal aliens pleaded guilty to charges that they had illegally entered the National Defense Area (NDA) in El Paso, Texas, from May 20 through May 22. This three-day increase in guilty pleas adds to the 60 that Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman announced earlier in the week, bringing the month’s total NDA violation convictions to 120 heading into Memorial Day weekend.
The defendants, who were arrested in various locations along the U.S.-Mexico border, face charges of violating Title 50 United States Code (USC) 797 and Title 18 USC 1382, which establish criminal penalties for unlawful intrusions into areas designated as National Defense Areas. These areas are established for the protection or security of Department of Defense property.
Among the defendants charged are Mexican nationals Gustavo Ramos-Solorzano and Enrique Arenas-Garcia. Ramos-Solorzano was arrested on May 14, two miles west of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry, after being removed from the U.S. on May 10 following an illegal re-entry felony conviction. This was his fourth deportation. Arenas-Garcia was arrested on May 15, two miles west of the Ysleta Port of Entry, just over one week after his most recent removal from the U.S. on May 7 through San Ysidro, California. He has been removed from the U.S. a total of three times in addition to two voluntary departures.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Ramos-Solorzano and Arenas-Garcia face serious consequences for their actions, including potential fines and imprisonment. The exact sentence or outcome is not yet clear, but it is evident that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is taking a tough stance on NDA violations.
The cases highlight the ongoing issue of illegal immigration and the need for stricter border control measures. As the U.S. continues to grapple with this complex issue, it is essential to hold individuals accountable for violating the law and putting national security at risk.
Defendant: Gustavo Ramos-Solorzano and Enrique Arenas-Garcia
Criminal Charges: Title 50 United States Code (USC) 797 and Title 18 USC 1382
City and State: El Paso, Texas
Exact Date: May 20-22, 2024
Sentence or Outcome: Pending
Related Federal Cases
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- Jerry Ba Nguyen, Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants, Texas 2016 · Texas
- Ismael Azua-Rinconada, Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien, NC 2024 · Texas
- Viola Elizabeth Garcia, Murder-for-Hire, Texas 2024 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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