27 year-old Joaquin Luna-Cijeros, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty today to unlawful re-entry by an alien after removal.
In May, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confidential informant identified Luna-Cijeros as an alien who was illegal present in the United-States and who had been previously removed. They told officials that Luna-Cijeros was working as a kitchen worker at Juan Tequila’s Restaurant in Saucier. HSI then began an investigation which revealed that he was living in Long Beach and working in Saucier.
Around February 3rd, 2015, the U.S. Border Patrol encountered, apprehend and processed Luna-Cijeros for removal near Rio Grande Valley, Texas. He was lawfully ordered and removed from the United States. At that time, he was given notice that he could not lawfully re-enter the U.S. for a minimum of five years, and that an unlawful re-entry could subject him to criminal prosecution.
Luna-Cijeros faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also faces being removed from the United States following the completion of any prison sentence.
