Joel Hernandez-Martinez, Illegal Reentry, New York 2017

Buffalo, NY – In a shocking turn of events, six restaurant employees have pleaded guilty to illegal reentry charges in New York. The shocking crime has left many wondering how these individuals were able to re-enter the country despite their felony convictions.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Joel Hernandez-Martinez, 29, of Mexico, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction. Hernandez-Martinez, who worked at Don Tequila, faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on April 20, 2017, by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci.

In related charges, Miguel Sanchez-Ocampo, 40, of Mexico, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after deportation after a felony conviction. The defendant, who worked at El Agave, faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced by Judge Geraci at a later date.

But it’s not just these two defendants who are facing the music. Four others have also pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after deportation and were each sentenced to time served. They are now in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) awaiting execution of prior removal orders entered against them.

Those defendants include Walter Lopez-Cabrera, 30, of Honduras, who worked at Agave; Araceli Lopez-Martinez, 33, of Mexico, who worked at Don Tequila; Alejandro Valadez-Leon, 46, of Mexico, who worked at Agave; and Eliel Sanchez-Ocampo, 34, of Mexico, who also worked at Don Tequila.

The investigation into these crimes was led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

As the cases continue to unfold, one thing is clear: illegal reentry is a serious crime with serious consequences. It remains to be seen how these defendants will navigate the justice system, but one thing is certain – they will face the full weight of the law.

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