Previously deported Mexican man sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm, re-entering US

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – A previously deported Mexican man was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm, and re-entering the U.S. after having been deported.

This sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Donald S. Boyce, Southern District of Illinois. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the O’Fallon (Illinois) Police Department.

On Nov. 7, 2017, Edwin Vergara-Cedillo, 32, pleaded guilty to two federal charges: illegal re-entry after deportation, and possessing a firearm by an illegal alien. On Feb. 22, 2018, Vergara-Cedillo was sentenced to 18 months in prison on each of the two counts, which are to be served concurrently.

At his change of plea hearing in November, Vergara-Cedillo admitted that he was an illegal alien and that he had been previously deported to Mexico. He also admitted that he had unlawfully possessed a handgun and ammunition at the time of his arrest.

On July 2, 2017, O’Fallon police officers arrested Vergara-Cedillo for violating an order of protection. Police found and seized a handgun and ammunition from the console of the car which Vergara-Cedillo was driving.

Vergara-Cedillo has been in federal custody since his arrest in July.