Repeat Offender Bautista-Ayala Admits Illegal Return

Florence, SC – Efran Bautista-Ayala, 44, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, admitted in federal court Monday to the crime of Illegal Re-Entry into the United States, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1326(a)(2). The plea, accepted by United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, comes after Bautista-Ayala was caught back inside the country despite a prior deportation.

The case unfolded after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers discovered Bautista-Ayala’s recent run-in with state law enforcement. On November 9, 2016, he was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and operating a vehicle without a valid license. This wasn’t his first brush with the law – or with deportation.

Court records reveal Bautista-Ayala was originally deported from the United States back to Mexico in 2006. This followed a 2005 conviction on felony charges in California. Despite the clear order of removal, he brazenly returned, disregarding U.S. immigration laws. The details of how he re-entered the country remain under investigation, but the fact remains: he was back.

United States Attorney Beth Drake didn’t mince words, stating the maximum penalty Bautista-Ayala faces is a hefty $250,000 fine and/or up to 10 years in federal prison. A $100 special assessment will also be levied if convicted. The judge will consider a presentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office before handing down the sentence, meaning Bautista-Ayala will remain in custody while awaiting his fate.

The investigation was spearheaded by dedicated agents of ICE-ERO Homeland Security Investigations, who tracked Bautista-Ayala and built the case for prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Brad Parham, of the Florence office, skillfully handled the case, ensuring the defendant faced justice. This case serves as a stark reminder that repeated violations of immigration law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Contact Lance Crick at (864) 282-2105 for further information. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing. The revolving door of illegal re-entry continues to plague the system, and we will keep our readers informed about those who attempt to exploit it.