Wilson Walberto Clemente-Perez Sentenced for Illegal Re-Entry

Gulfport, Miss. — Wilson Walberto Clemente-Perez, 27, a citizen of Guatemala, has been sentenced to 4 months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after prior lawful removal, federal prosecutors announced today. The conviction stems from a November 2017 traffic stop on Interstate-59 in Pearl River County that unraveled a human smuggling operation packed into a Honda CRV built for five.

Clemente-Perez was one of nine occupants found crammed into the SUV when a Pearl River County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled it over for speeding. Though the vehicle’s design maxed out at five passengers, the driver—later identified as Emerson Isaac Hernandez-Turcios, 26, a Honduran legal permanent resident—had six others riding inside, including three hidden in the cargo area under cover. Language barriers and evasive answers raised red flags, prompting the deputy to call in Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

When HSI and Mississippi Highway Patrol arrived, they uncovered the full extent of the illegal transport. Clemente-Perez was pulled from the concealed cargo space and taken into custody. Records checks revealed he had already been formally removed from the U.S. on September 28, 2017, following a lawful deportation order. His return violated federal law, leading to the felony charge of illegal re-entry after removal.

On January 26, 2018, Clemente-Perez pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. in Gulfport. In addition to his 4-month prison term, he was handed 1 year of supervised release. Should he illegally return again, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison due to the felony conviction on his record.

The driver, Emerson Isaac Hernandez-Turcios, was charged separately. On January 5, 2018, he pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Within the United States. He awaits sentencing on April 5, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden and could spend up to a decade behind bars. He also faces 3 years of supervised release, a $250,000.00 fine, and $5,100.00 in special assessments.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst, Jr. commended the joint efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris prosecuted the case. Clemente-Perez remains in federal custody and will face Department of Homeland Security removal proceedings upon release.