McALLEN, Texas - Eduardo Castellano-Espinoza, 50, of Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been handed a 78-month federal prison sentence, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Castellano-Espinoza pleaded guilty June 18, 2013, to being unlawfully present in the U.S. after deportation.
Just a short time ago, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane upwardly departed from the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, taking into consideration the defendant’s prior conviction and overall aggravating circumstances. It is expected that he will once again face deportation proceedings following completion of the federal prison term.
On May 2, 2013, Castellano-Espinoza was found attempting to exit the United States. When approached by federal agents, he attempted to evade by fleeing to Mexico. After he was apprehended, it was determined he had been deported in 2010 after receiving a 40-year prison sentence for attempted capital murder of a Texas peace officer. In course of that crime, a Starr County sheriff’s deputy was shot and an elderly woman was pinned beneath Castellano-Espinoza’s out-of-control vehicle.
Castellano-Espinoza will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prison’s facility to be determined in the near future.
This case was investigated by Border Patrol and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason C. Honeycutt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
