SCRANTON, PA – Gustavo Nabor Tolentino Cortes, a 46-year-old national of Mexico, is facing federal charges after allegedly violating a deportation order and sneaking back into the United States. The indictment, handed down yesterday by a grand jury in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, accuses Cortes of knowingly re-entering the country illegally.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Cortes was initially removed from the U.S. on January 24, 2018. Despite the lawful deportation, authorities allege Cortes didn’t stay away. He was discovered in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, having unlawfully crossed the border without proper authorization. The details of *how* he re-entered remain sealed within the indictment.
The case, built by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its Removal Operations (ERO) division, highlights the ongoing struggle to enforce immigration laws and track individuals previously ordered deported. ICE has been increasingly focused on re-arresting those who flout deportation orders, often working with local law enforcement to identify and apprehend individuals.
Assistant United States Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Cortes faces a maximum sentence of two years in federal prison, followed by a period of supervised release, and a substantial fine. However, the actual sentence will be determined by the presiding judge, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and the specifics of the case.
This isn’t simply a paperwork violation. Illegal reentry is a federal felony, carrying significant penalties. The government argues it undermines the integrity of the immigration system and poses potential security risks. Cortes’ defense will likely center on whether he knowingly violated the deportation order and any mitigating circumstances surrounding his return.
It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is *not* a conviction. Cortes is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. He is entitled to legal representation and a full defense against these charges. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves through the federal court system.
Related Federal Cases
- Deported Honduran Back in Court: Immigration Violation · Pennsylvania
- Sotero Gomez Alvarado: Deported & Back for More · Pennsylvania
- Repeat Offenders Back in PA: Three Deported Aliens Indicted · Pennsylvania
- Three Deported Men Back Behind Bars for Illegal Return · Pennsylvania
- Repeat Offenders: Three Deported Nationals Back Behind Bars · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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