Aggravated felon sentenced after third conviction for illegal reentry after removal
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Following being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Juan Diego Arteaga-Hernandez, 34, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced Sept. 8 to four years and four months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the U.S. after removal and being convicted of an aggravated felony. Arteaga-Hernandez pleaded guilty May 11.
“ERO's work is critical to the enforcement of immigration laws against those who undermine the integrity of our immigration system,” said Garrett Ripa, acting field office director of ERO Miami. “ERO operations target public safety threats, just like this convicted criminal noncitizen, who repeatedly violated our nation's immigration laws and illegally re-entered the country after being previously removed.”
According to court documents, Arteaga-Hernandez was arrested Jan. 22 on unrelated charges in Desoto County. Thereafter, he was encountered by ICE and determined to be in the U.S. illegally. A criminal history check showed Arteaga-Hernandez had been convicted in 2009 for possession with the intent to deliver heroin, which is an aggravated felony under federal law. Arteaga-Hernandez was also previously convicted of illegal reentry after deportation in 2015 and 2019. He was on federal supervised release for his 2019 conviction when he was arrested on this charge.
The case was prosecuted by the office of United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg, Middle District Florida, Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.
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