Nicolae Strava, a 30-year-old Romanian citizen, was sentenced to nine months in prison for illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed. The sentencing took place in Williamsport before Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Strava was indicted by a federal grand jury following his arrest for theft by deception in Centre County, Pennsylvania, on September 20, 2024. Strava had earlier been removed from the country under a court order on April 23, 2019, through Houston, Texas. He pleaded guilty to illegal reentry prior to sentencing.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer has been placed on Strava for deportation proceedings.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger prosecuted the case.
Strava’s prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a national initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration and related criminal activity. The operation brings together resources from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
"According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Strava was indicted by a federal grand jury after being arrested for theft by deception in Centre County, Pennsylvania, on September 20, 2024. Strava had previously been removed from the United States pursuant to a court order on April 23, 2019, through Houston, Texas. Strava pleaded guilty to illegal reentry prior to being sentenced."
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