Leonel Antonio Rodriguez Ayala, Re-Entry into US, New York 2018

ALBANY, NEW YORK – A Honduran man has admitted to re-entering the United States without permission, a federal crime that could land him in prison for up to two years and result in a $250,000 fine.

Leonel Antonio Rodriguez Ayala, 29, pleaded guilty on March 29, 2018 to illegally re-entering the United States after being removed in October 2013, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.

The defendant was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on October 24, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Rodriguez Ayala faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced by Senior United States Judge Lawrence E. Kahn, according to the indictment. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The investigation was conducted by ICE-ERO, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

This case is a reminder of the consequences of re-entering the United States without permission. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration laws and protect the integrity of our nation’s borders.

Leonel Antonio Rodriguez Ayala’s guilty plea highlights the importance of complying with immigration laws and regulations. It is crucial for individuals to understand the consequences of re-entering the United States without permission, which can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.