Andrew M. Luger, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota
Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick has announced indictments against three individuals on charges of illegal reentry into the United States after being previously convicted of serious felonies. The federal grand jury returned these indictments as part of ongoing efforts to address illegal reentry cases.
The defendants include Luis Gerardo Gomez-Esteban, 35, who was found in the U.S. after his removal on May 8, 2019, following convictions for child molestation in Thurston County, Washington. He also failed to register as a sex offender upon returning to the country.
Jose Alfredo Ojeda-Garcia, 33, faces charges for reentering the U.S. after his conviction for criminal sexual conduct in Faribault County, Minnesota. He had been removed from the country on three occasions: April 23, 2012; May 26, 2021; and January 29, 2022.
Sotero Ortiz-Sanchez, 37, was indicted after being found in the U.S. post-conviction for attempted burglary in Lancaster County, Nebraska. His initial removal occurred on January 28, 2009.
These cases are part of investigations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
"An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," noted Acting U.S. Attorney Kirkpatrick.
