Elmer Hernandez, Reentry of a Removed Alien, West Virginia 2019

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Elmer Hernandez, a 30-year-old Honduran man, has been sentenced to 'time served' for reentering the United States illegally, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

Hernandez pleaded guilty to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien on May 15, 2015 and has been in federal custody for four months. He was immediately remanded to ICE officials for removal proceedings.

Stuart commended the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the West Virginia State Police.

'Like so many others, Hernandez returned to the United States illegally after a previous removal,' said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. 'We will continue to prosecute line skippers until they follow our laws.'

On March 9, 2019, a West Virginia State Police trooper stopped a car at Mile Marker 52 on the West Virginia Turnpike outside of Beckley, Raleigh County. Three men were standing outside the car with its emergency blinkers on. When the trooper pulled in, the men ran to the car and began to drive away.

The trooper asked the driver what was happening and for a driver's license, but the driver could not communicate due to a language barrier and did not have a license. The trooper contacted a translator service provided by ICE to assist. The driver and two other individuals spoke with ICE agents telephonically and were found to be in the United States illegally.

All three men were taken into custody and fingerprinted. Hernandez's prints matched a prior removal from Pennsylvania in 2015, and he admitted to ICE agents that he was in the United States illegally and had not obtained permission to enter legally. He was a Honduran citizen and had not sought legal status or citizenship.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing, with Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes responsible for the prosecution.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/honduran-man-sentenced-immigration-crime