ERIE, Pa. – This morning, a 40-year-old citizen of Mexico, with five arrests for illegally entering the United States, appeared before a federal magistrate.
Alfredo Ramos-Gallegos had his initial appearance this morning to face a felony indictment charging him with illegally re-entered the United States in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326. If convicted, Ramos-Gallegos faces up to two years in prison and a fine.
On Feb. 8, Border Patrol agents from the Erie Station encountered Ramos-Gallegos, a citizen of Mexico. Ramos-Gallegos presented a Mexican Voter Registration Card to agents, but no other evidence that he had been lawfully admitted into the United States.
During processing, agents discovered Ramos-Gallegos has numerous apprehensions for immigration violations. After Ramos-Gallegos’s first arrest in 1997, he was permitted to voluntarily return to Mexico. After his second arrest in 1998, his case was heard by an immigration judge who issued Ramos-Gallegos a Final Order of Deportation. Following his deportation order in 1998, Ramos-Gallegos was arrested and deported two more times before his fifth arrest on Feb. 8.
The primary mission of the Border Patrol is to secure the borders of the United States by upholding and enforcing the law, and works closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in our efforts to criminally prosecute repeat offenders.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-800-331-0353 toll free.