A federal grand jury in Columbus, Ohio, has indicted four individuals in separate cases related to immigration offenses. These cases involve charges of illegal reentry into the United States and human smuggling.
Juan Carlos Garcia-Vasquez, a 45-year-old Mexican national, faces charges for illegally reentering the U.S. after being previously convicted of cocaine trafficking in Franklin County.
Ricardo Martinez-Nunez, aged 29 and also a Mexican national, is charged with illegal reentry. His prior convictions include improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle and driving under the influence.
Lino Mendiola-Vanegas, another 45-year-old Mexican national, has been charged with illegal reentry following previous convictions for cocaine trafficking and forgery in Franklin County.
The fourth case involves Adalberto Calixto Tolentino, 21, who allegedly transported four illegal aliens across the United States for financial gain. On January 23rd, investigators from the Licking County Sheriff’s Office received information from Customs and Border Patrol about Tolentino's involvement in human smuggling using a Toyota Highlander with an Arizona license plate. When stopped by sheriff’s deputies in Licking County, four individuals were found in his vehicle along with $8,000 cash. One passenger reported paying $10,000 to be helped crossing the border from Mexico into the U.S., eventually being transported by Tolentino.
Tolentino was arrested on January 24th and remains in federal custody. If convicted as charged, he could face up to ten years in prison.
Illegally reentering the United States carries penalties ranging from two years to twenty years in prison depending on prior convictions.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations Detroit; and Robert Lynch of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit Field Office are involved in these cases. Assistant United States Attorneys Kenneth F. Affeldt and Tyler J. Aagard are representing the prosecution.
These indictments are part of efforts by the Southern District of Ohio Immigration Enforcement Task Force dedicated to addressing immigration violations.
An indictment contains allegations only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
