BOSTON – Wilson Hernandez-Bautista, 34, a Guatemalan national with a disturbing past, admitted in federal court yesterday to illegally re-entering the United States. The plea comes after a federal grand jury indicted Hernandez-Bautista in December 2023, and while he’s already facing the consequences of a brutal crime committed on American soil.
Hernandez-Bautista pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton has set sentencing for October 3, 2024. This isn’t simply a border violation; it’s a calculated return by a man already convicted of a heinous act. He was initially deported on October 9, 2013, but clearly disregarded the law, slipping back into the country undetected for years.
The gravity of Hernandez-Bautista’s history was revealed when, on November 23, 2023, he was convicted in Essex County Superior Court of rape of a child with force. He was sentenced to a five-to-seven year term, but even during his incarceration, federal authorities were alerted to his unlawful presence in the U.S. – a damning indictment of system failures and a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by repeat offenders.
Federal prosecutors are seeking a maximum sentence for the unlawful reentry charge. The law provides for up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a hefty fine of up to $250,000. However, Judge Gorton will ultimately determine the punishment, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the specifics of Hernandez-Bautista’s case – including his prior, horrific conviction.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd Lyons, Field Office Director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office, jointly announced the guilty plea. They were aided by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, who flagged the issue during Hernandez-Bautista’s state sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution, ensuring this case receives the attention it deserves.
This case highlights the persistent challenges of enforcing immigration laws and protecting communities from dangerous individuals. Hernandez-Bautista’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and a continued threat to public safety. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves toward sentencing, providing updates on the punishment handed down to this convicted child rapist.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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