Mexican felon wanted for murder in Mexico indicted in Oklahoma for re-entering the US after being deported

TULSA, Okla. – A Mexican man, who is a convicted felon and is wanted in Mexico for murder, was indicted Tuesday in the Eastern District of Oklahoma for illegally re-entering the United States after being previously deported.

Miguel Angel Gutierrez-Carranza, 29, an illegal alien, was indicted in the Eastern District of Oklahoma for re-entering the United States after he was deported in December 2011. He had been ordered deported in February 2010 after he pleaded guilty in Hughes County (Oklahoma) District Court on three counts of shooting with intent to kill in May 2007. Gutierrez-Carranza was sentenced to five years in prison.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers were notified Aug. 22, 2013 by the Mexico’s Attorneys General Office (PGR) that Gutierrez-Carranza was wanted for an aggravated homicide in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The PGR also informed ERO officers that Gutierrez-Carranza had fled Mexico and may be residing in Holdenville, Okla. Gutierrez-Carranza, with an accomplice, is accused of shooting Mariano Alexis Perez-Grimaldo in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on Jan. 1, 2012. Perez-Grimaldo later died in the hospital.

After being notified by PGR, ERO officers conducted surveillance in Holdenville, Okla. Once Gutierrez-Carranza was spotted, they coordinated with local law enforcement authorities. A vehicle stop was made near the intersection of Highways 48 and 9 in Wetumka, Okla. Gutierrez-Carranza was arrested about 3:15 p.m., and he was later positively identified by a fingerprint match.

If convicted of re-entry after deportation, Gutierrez-Carranza faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Ultimately, after all court proceedings are completed, he will be deported and turned over to Mexican authorities.

"Removing dangerous criminal aliens from our communities is one of our most important missions," said Simona L. Flores, field office director of ERO Dallas. "Coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies is an essential part of this mission." Flores oversees the state of Oklahoma, and 128 counties in north Texas.

In addition to ICE ERO, Hughes County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this arrest.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson, Eastern District of Oklahoma, is prosecuting this case.