Repeat Offender Guerrero Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-Entry

FLORENCE, SC – Jose Hernandez Guerrero, 38, of Pamplico, South Carolina, has admitted to a familiar crime: illegally slipping back into the United States after being booted out once before. Guerrero pled guilty Monday in federal court to Illegal Re-Entry into the United States, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1326(a)(2). He’s facing serious time for this, and it’s a pattern we see all too often.

The case unfolded after a routine traffic stop turned sour. On October 19, 2016, officers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol pulled Guerrero over and discovered he was driving under the influence and, crucially, without a valid license. That led to a check with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), which revealed Guerrero’s history.

Turns out, this wasn’t Guerrero’s first rodeo with the US justice system. Back in 2003, he racked up felony convictions in Texas. That led to his deportation to his native Mexico in 2004. Clearly, a previous deportation wasn’t enough to deter him from returning to the country illegally. Now he’s back in the federal system.

United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Guerrero could face a hefty penalty. The maximum sentence includes a fine of $250,000, up to 10 years in federal prison, and a $100 special assessment fee. Judge R. Bryan Harwell will determine the final sentence after reviewing the pre-sentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. Don’t expect a slap on the wrist; repeat offenders rarely get one.

The investigation was spearheaded by agents with ICE-ERO Homeland Security Investigations, proving that these agencies are actively tracking down individuals who flout our immigration laws. Assistant United States Attorney Brad Parham, working out of the Florence office, prosecuted the case. This prosecution sends a clear message: illegally re-entering the United States after deportation carries significant consequences.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing. Guerrero’s case is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in securing the border and dealing with individuals who repeatedly violate immigration laws. The question remains: will the sentence be enough to finally keep Guerrero from returning?