Allentown Deportee Busted for Illegal Reentry

ALLENTOWN, PA – Manuel Antonio Nunez-Ortega, also known as Julio Ricardo Fratichelli-Hernandez, is facing federal charges after allegedly flouting a deportation order and sneaking back into the United States. The indictment, unsealed today, alleges the defendant knowingly re-entered the country after being lawfully removed in 2012.

According to Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen, Nunez-Ortega, a native and citizen of the Dominican Republic, was discovered within U.S. borders on or about December 6, 2016 – roughly four years after his deportation on September 20, 2012. The details of how he managed to bypass border security remain under investigation.

This isn’t a simple immigration violation; it’s a direct challenge to federal law. Re-entry after deportation is a serious federal offense, carrying significant penalties. Federal prosecutors aren’t messing around with those who ignore court orders and attempt to circumvent the system.

If convicted of illegal reentry, Nunez-Ortega could face a maximum possible sentence of twenty years behind bars. The case is being built by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah T. Damiani, who will present the evidence against the defendant in court.

The investigation was spearheaded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division. ICE has been aggressively targeting individuals who have been previously deported and are found to be unlawfully present in the United States, prioritizing the enforcement of immigration laws.

It’s crucial to remember that an Indictment is merely an accusation. Nunez-Ortega is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments as they occur. The next court date has not been announced.