The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio has announced new immigration charges and convictions in four separate cases. The announcement highlights ongoing efforts to address illegal reentry into the United States and related offenses.
Sergio Diego-Sevilla, a 35-year-old Mexican national, was arrested on Monday and charged with illegal reentry. Previously apprehended in Arizona and deported to Mexico, Diego-Sevilla was found in Licking County, Ohio, during a traffic stop by sheriff's deputies who were investigating human smuggling activities. Adalberto Calixto Tolentino, 21, was also involved in transporting individuals across the border.
In Cincinnati on Tuesday, Edgar Palomares-Ventura pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the country. A citizen of Mexico previously deported from Texas in 2022, Palomares-Ventura has prior convictions for marijuana trafficking and fraud-related offenses.
On Wednesday, Brayan Castaneda-Juarez admitted guilt to illegal reentry and firearm possession charges in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. The Mexican national had been previously removed from the U.S., but was discovered carrying a 9mm pistol while attempting shoplifting at Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati.
New charges have also been filed against Ismael Rodriguez-Mojica from El Salvador for illegal reentry after being deported three times before. ICE officers encountered him again in Columbus earlier this year.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Detroit; and Robert Lynch of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit Field Office made the announcement alongside other officials representing these cases.
These cases are part of efforts by the Southern District of Ohio Immigration Enforcement Task Force aimed at addressing immigration violations through dedicated resources.
"Charging documents merely contain allegations," noted officials, emphasizing that "defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty."
