A man from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, has been sentenced to 39 months in federal prison for unlawfully reentering the United States after being removed three previous times. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Rafael Cortez-Gonzalez, 53, pleaded guilty on May 1 to the charge of illegal reentry. U.S. District Judge David Morales handed down the sentence and noted that it is intended to serve as a deterrent.
The court heard that Cortez-Gonzalez has a history of criminal activity, including two felony convictions for illegal reentry and another for transporting an illegal alien within the United States. He was first removed from the country in November 2000 and returned illegally three times since then. Authorities most recently discovered him on February 12 in Kenedy County without authorization to be present.
Cortez-Gonzalez will remain in custody until he is transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. After serving his sentence, he is expected to face removal proceedings because he is not a U.S. citizen.
Border Patrol led the investigation into this case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine K. Tucker prosecuted it.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood," according to information provided in connection with this prosecution.
