El Salvador man sentenced to 7 years for illegal re-entry

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A native of El Salvador was sentenced Friday to 84 months in prison for illegally reentering the United States, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement of Removal Operations (ERO).

Melvin Eraldo Ramirez, 30, pleaded guilty Feb. 23. He had been previously deported four times.

According to court records, Ramirez was convicted Sept. 13, 2001, for attempting to distribute cocaine. He was deported in 2003, and he illegally reentered the United States and was deported in 2005, 2007 and 2008. Ramirez has a lengthy and violent criminal history in the United States, including convictions for theft, abduction, malicious wounding, and assault and battery of a law enforcement official.

"In addition to his extensive criminal history, Mr. Ramirez repeatedly returned to the United States after being deported," said M. Yvonne Evans, acting field office director for ERO Washington, D.C. "This lengthy prison sentence helps send the message that reentering the United States after being formally deported is a serious crime, particularly when that person is a convicted felon."

Upon completion of his prison sentence, Ramirez will be deported to El Salvador, where he will be surrendered to authorities pursuant to an active arrest warrant in El Salvador accusing him of extortion.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys C. Alexandria Bogle and Brian D. Harrison are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.