Man Pleads Guilty to Re-entering the Country Illegally
Columbia, South Carolina – In a shocking turn of events, Julio Cesar Villareal-Garcia, a 42-year-old man from Mexico, has pleaded guilty to re-entering the United States illegally. The crime, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a), is punishable by up to 2 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000.
According to court documents, Villareal-Garcia was encountered by ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations agents on November 27, 2017, at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia. He had been arrested for Driving Under the Influence and was later found to be a citizen of Mexico who had previously been deported.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake stated that the maximum penalty for Illegal Re-Entry is imprisonment for 2 years and/or a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, and Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, is prosecuting the case.
Villareal-Garcia’s guilty plea was accepted by United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, who will impose sentence after reviewing the presentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. The outcome of the case is currently pending.
Julio Cesar Villareal-Garcia’s case is a stark reminder of the consequences of re-entering the United States illegally. The U.S. government takes these crimes seriously and will prosecute those who break the law.
Columbia, South Carolina, is a city with a diverse population, and this case highlights the importance of immigration laws and the need for proper documentation.
The case is a reminder that the U.S. government will continue to enforce immigration laws and hold those accountable who break them.
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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