Dangerous Illegal Alien From Mexico Sentenced to Five Months for Fourth Illegal Entry into the Country

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Rodrigo Fuentes-Gomez, a/k/a “Ervin Yovany Cruz,” 52, of West Chester, PA, was sentenced to five months’ incarceration by United States District Judge Mark A. Kearney.  The defendant was convicted of re-entering the United States illegally after being deported on three previous occasions and after having committed other criminal offenses while in the country unlawfully.  After he serves his sentence, the defendant will be deported to Mexico.

On September 27, 2018, the defendant, an illegal alien, native and citizen of Mexico, was charged in an indictment with reentry into the United States on or about July 2, 2018, after previously being deported and removed from the country on or about April 4, 1999, August 14, 2007, and June 25, 2011. On May 9, 2019, the defendant pleaded guilty.

While illegally present in the United States, the defendant has engaged in repeated criminal behavior.  He has been convicted of driving under the influence, forgery and making false reports to law enforcement, as well as public intoxication. This conviction is the defendant’s second federal conviction for illegal reentry, as he was previously federally convicted of illegal entry into the United States on May 9, 2011, in the District of Arizona.

“The defendant in this case clearly has no respect for the laws of this country,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain.  “After being removed on three previous occasions, Fuentes-Gomez decided yet again to snub our immigration system by entering the United States illegally – and committing multiple criminal offenses while he was here. He is clearly a danger to the public and does not deserve the privilege of being in our country.  I am glad that the Judge agreed and has ordered a sentence that holds him responsible for his actions.”

“Mr. Fuentes-Gomez’s sentencing sends a clear message that criminal aliens who illegally re-enter the United States will face criminal prosecution for flagrantly disregarding our laws,” said Simona L. Flores-Lund, Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia. “It should also serve as a warning to others contemplating re-entering this country illegally that ERO officers will seek to affect their removal and preserve the integrity of our immigration laws.”

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie B. Wilmoth.