Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Guadencio Morgado-Martinez, age 32, of Myrtle Beach, SC, pled guilty in federal court in Florence, to Illegal Re-Entry into the United States, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on April 29, 2017, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ICE-ERO") Officers in Charleston, SC, discovered that Guadencio Morgado-Martinez, a native and citizen of Mexico, had been arrested by the South Carolina Highway Department District Five for Driving Under the Influence and other traffic violations. In 2009, Morgado-Martinez was deported from the United States back to Mexico. A records check revealed that Morgado-Martinez had not received permission to enter, re-enter, or remain in the United States.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty the Defendant can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 2 years, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ICE-ERO") and the South Carolina Highway Department District Five. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled the case. ##
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
