Twice-deported Mexican national indicted for illegal re-entry

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A twice-deported criminal alien from Mexico was indicted on Monday in federal court for illegally re-entering the United States. The indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

A federal grand jury in the Western District of Kentucky returned an indictment March 1 against Gualberto Telles-Guerrero, aka Jeremy Romo, 26, on charges of illegally re-entering into the United States after having been previously deported, which is a felony.

The indictment alleges that Telles-Guerrero, a Mexican national, was illegally present in the United States after he had been previously deported. He did not have the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to re-enter into the United States.

According to the indictment, Telles-Guerrero was arrested by local law enforcement on Jan 22 for drunken driving and other traffic violations under the name Jeremy Romo.

When ICE agents interviewed him, Telles-Guerrero admitted his true name and that he was in the U.S. illegally. An identity and fingerprint check confirmed that Telles-Guerrero was previously deported in September 2004 and again in April 2007. His previous criminal history includes a 2003 conviction in Texas for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

If convicted, Telles-Guerrero faces up to 20 years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. After serving any prison sentence imposed, he will be turned over to ICE for removal from the U.S.

"Criminal aliens who have been deported and flagrantly disregard our laws by illegally re-entering the United States should not be surprised to find themselves in court facing up to 20 years in prison," said Ricardo Wong, field office director for the ICE Office of Detention and Removal Operations in Chicago. "ICE is committed to enhancing public safety by identifying criminals who have been previously deported and dare to re-enter this country illegally."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura L. Hall, Western District of Kentucky, is prosecuting the case. An indictment is an accusation only, and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.