Repeat Offender: Terrazas-Ordonez Faces Federal Re-Entry Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Miguel Terrazas-Ordonez, a 40-year-old Mexican national, is facing federal charges after allegedly violating U.S. immigration law. Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that Terrazas-Ordonez has been indicted on one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

The indictment alleges that Terrazas-Ordonez brazenly reentered the United States despite being previously deported on December 28, 2000. This isn’t a first-time offense; authorities are digging deeper into his history, revealing a pattern of disregard for U.S. law. The feds aren’t buying the excuse of a simple mistake. He knew the risks.

Adding fuel to the fire, the indictment includes a Notice of Sentencing Enhancement tied to a prior conviction in Keokuk County, Iowa. Records show Terrazas-Ordonez was convicted of Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana in Iowa. This previous drug charge will significantly impact his sentencing if found guilty.

If convicted on the current charge, Terrazas-Ordonez is looking at a potential maximum sentence of twenty years behind bars. Beyond incarceration, he faces a hefty maximum fine of $250,000, a three-year term of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. That’s a steep price for crossing the border again.

“An Indictment is merely a charge,” Acting U. S. Attorney Evans stated bluntly. “The guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” This is standard procedure, but it doesn’t diminish the seriousness of the allegations. The government will need to present a solid case to secure a conviction.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves through the federal court system. The prosecution will likely highlight Terrazas-Ordonez’s prior deportation and drug conviction to paint a picture of a repeat offender who poses a risk to public safety. The question remains: will the evidence be enough to send him back behind bars for a long time?