PADUCAH, Ky. - A criminal alien, who had twice been previously deported to Mexico, was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday to almost five years in prison for illegally reentering the United States. This sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Saul Gonzalez-Trujillo, aka Ricardo Gonzalez, 41, was sentenced March 10 in the Western District of Kentucky to 57 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the U.S. after being previously deported as an aggravated felon. He will be deported again to Mexico after he completes his prison sentence. Reentering the United States after being formally deported is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
On Nov. 24, Gonzalez-Trujillo pleaded guilty to illegally entering the U.S. in 2007 without obtaining the required permission from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to legally reenter the U.S.
Records checks conducted by ICE revealed that Gonzalez-Trujillo had been previously deported on two occasions. His first removal was in February 1993 following a burglary conviction in Maine; his second removal was in August 2004 following a rape conviction in California. Prior to his indictment for illegal reentry, Gonzalez-Trujillo was serving a sentence in the Ballard County Jail for wanton endangerment.
"ICE is committed to strengthening the integrity of our country's immigration laws," said Ricardo Wong, field office director of the ICE Office of Detention and Removal Operations in Chicago. "This significant prison sentence sends a strong message of deterrence to those who show a blatant disregard for our nation's laws." Wong oversees a six-state area, including Kentucky.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Thielhorn, Western District of Kentucky, prosecuted this case.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.