SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers arrested a Brazilian alien, illegally present in the United States Sunday attempting to board a flight from the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport bound to Panama City, Panama.
Leonardo Marco Dos Santos, a citizen of Brazil, appeared Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marshall Morgan, charged with a violation to Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326, for reentry after a previous removal.
“CBP Officers remain vigilant to detect individuals who attempt to move via our transportation system in violation of our laws,” stated Edwin Cruz, San Juan Area Port Director.
On Sept. 16, during inspections authorized by US law, Mr. Dos Santos presented to CBP Officers a Brazilian Passport, claimed to be a citizen and national of Brazil and to be illegally present in the United States.
A secondary inspection revealed CBP officers in Tampa, Florida, apprehended Mr. Dos Santos in 2008 and later removed. In Nov. 2017, Border Patrol Agents in Nogales, Arizona found Mr. Dos Santos, later removed in March 2018.
Mr. Dos Santos indicated that he re-entered without inspection on or about August 2018 thru the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Last week, CBP officers arrested a previously removed Brazilian alien, attempting to reach Miami.
Assistant US Attorney Evelyn Canals will be in charge of the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Puerto Rico.
If convicted, Mr. Dos Santos faces imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or a fine, or both.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
CBP’s mission is to facilitate travel while maintaining the highest standards of security for those who live here and for those who come to visit. On a typical day last year, CBP officers processed more than 1 million travelers arriving airports, seaports or border crossings.
Follow us on Twitter: @CBP @CBPCaribbean @CBPFlorida.