NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that LENIS PADILLA RUIZ, age 31, a citizen of Honduras, was charged Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 in a one-count indictment with illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of 8 U.S.C. ' 1326(a).
According to the indictment, LENIS PADILLA RUIZ was previously removed from the United States on or about April 1, 2016. He was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on Nov. 19, 2018 and had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter.
If convicted, LENIS PADILLA RUIZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.
U. S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
