Defendant had a prior removal for illegally entering the United States
BECKLEY, W.Va. - Ezequias De Los Santos-Ruiz entered a guilty plea to the felony offense of Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Santos-Ruiz, 23, of Oaxaca, Mexico faces up to 2 years of incarceration, a $250,000 fine, supervised release for one year, and a special assessment of $100 when he is sentenced on Oct. 3, 2018. Santos-Ruiz also faces removal proceedings at the conclusion of any sentence of incarceration. United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the work of the West Virginia State Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“It’s simple," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “If you cross the border illegally and are found in our jurisdiction, we will prosecute you."
On March 15, 2018, Santos-Ruiz was a passenger in a car that was stopped by the West Virginia State Police near Beaver, Raleigh County, West Virginia. Once stopped, he offered to the Trooper a Mexican Identification document. The Trooper immediately contacted ICE agents to confirm alienage. ICE spoke to Santos-Ruiz and confirmed that he was not legally present in the United States. ICE agents drove to the area and placed Santos-Ruiz under arrest. ICE agents further submitted Santos-Ruiz’s fingerprints for a forensic examination. The results of the examination matched him to a prior removal from the United States in 2017 from Kingsville, Texas. After being deported, Santos-Ruiz illegally reentered the United States without lawful permission from the Secretary of Homeland Security. Santos-Ruiz is a citizen of Mexico.
Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution. Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the plea hearing.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
