PHILADELPHIA – Rodrigo Fuentes-Gomez, a/k/a “Ervin Yovany Cruz,” 52, of West Chester, PA, has been sentenced to five months’ incarceration for his fourth illegal entry into the United States. The defendant was convicted of re-entering the country illegally after having been deported three times previously and committing further crimes while in the U.S. without legal status.
Fuentes-Gomez, a native and citizen of Mexico, was charged with reentry on or about July 2, 2018, following his deportations on April 4, 1999, August 14, 2007, and June 25, 2011. He pleaded guilty on May 9, 2019.
While here illegally, the defendant has been convicted of driving under the influence, forgery, making false reports to law enforcement, and public intoxication. This conviction is his second for illegal reentry; his first federal conviction was in the District of Arizona in 2011.
In response, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain condemned Fuentes-Gomez’s actions, stating, ‘The defendant clearly has no respect for our laws and is a danger to the public.’ The judge agreed, ensuring that Fuentes-Gomez will be held accountable for his repeated violations of immigration laws.
Simona L. Flores-Lund, Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia, emphasized the importance of such sentences in deterring illegal reentry: ‘This sends a clear message that those who flagrantly disregard our immigration laws will face consequences.’
The case was investigated by ICE ERO and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie B. Wilmoth.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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