United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana
11/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/18/2024 15:06
Mexican National Indicted For Illegal Re-entry
Press Release
Mexican National Indicted For Illegal Re-entry
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SANTIAGO PUENTE-GARCIA ("PUENTE-GARCIA"), age 25, a native of Mexico, was indicted on November 15, 2024 for illegal reentry by a removed alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to the indictment, PUENTE-GARCIA was previously removed from the United States on February 4, 2022. He was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on October 29, 2024 and had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter the country.
If convicted, PUENTE-GARCIA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two (2) years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Contact
Shane M. Jones
Public Information Officer
United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States Department of Justice
Updated November 18, 2024
Topic
Immigration
Component