Deported Gunrunner Back in Custody: Jose Merced Sanchez De La Torre

OCALA, FL – Jose Merced Sanchez De La Torre, 43, is back in federal custody after a tip led authorities to his Ocala residence, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announced today. Sanchez De La Torre faces federal charges for illegally re-entering the United States despite a previous deportation and a lengthy criminal record.

The feds allege Sanchez De La Torre knowingly entered the country illegally after being deported in 2015. His return could land him up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. The case began to unfold on August 31, 2020, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation received information suggesting illegal activity – specifically, the presence of undocumented immigrants and firearms – at a location in Ocala.

FBI agents quickly looped in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A CBP investigation of the address confirmed the tip: Sanchez De La Torre, a citizen of Mexico, was residing there. Crucially, CBP records showed he’d already been kicked out of the country in 2015 following convictions for an aggravated felony – unlawful possession of a firearm – and seven counts of structuring financial transactions, a tactic commonly used to evade reporting requirements for large sums of money.

Structuring financial transactions isn’t a victimless crime. It’s a favorite move of those trying to hide dirty money. Combined with the gun charge, it paints a clear picture of a man with a history of disregard for the law. The fact he re-entered the country after being deported suggests a brazen willingness to ignore federal orders.

On September 8, 2020, Border Patrol agents moved in, executing an arrest warrant at Sanchez De La Torre’s Ocala residence. He was taken into custody without incident. This wasn’t a solo operation; the Marion County Sheriff’s Office provided crucial support during the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie Boyer is prosecuting the case. The FBI, CBP, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office all contributed to the investigation, a clear demonstration of interagency cooperation in tackling federal crime. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves through the legal system.

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