In Minnesota, legal actions are currently ongoing against two Mexican nationals who have been charged with illegal reentry after previous deportations. Both cases highlight the enforcement efforts against individuals with prior criminal backgrounds who return to the U.S. unlawfully.
Case Overview: Roman Ernesto Luna-Almaraz
The first individual, Roman Ernesto Luna-Almaraz, 35 years old, faced indictment due to his unlawful presence in the U.S. on July 16, 2008, following a prior deportation. His earlier deportation traces back to a 1997 conviction in Minnesota for complicity in cocaine sales. The recent charges stem from his 2008 arrest for second-degree assault, aggravated forgery, and possession of a firearm as a felon, during which he was identified as an illegal immigrant.
If found guilty, Luna-Almaraz could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The determination of the sentence will rest with a federal district court judge. This case emerged from investigations carried out by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations along with the Mower County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin P. Johnson.
Case Summary: Jose Velasquez-Velasquez
In the second indictment, Jose Velasquez-Velasquez, a 42-year-old from Brooklyn Center, was charged after being found unlawfully present in the U.S. on November 17, 2011. His previous deportation is linked to multiple drug-related convictions in Florida from the early 1990s. His current indictment is a consequence of his recent arrest for driving without a license, during which he was identified as an illegal alien by the Hennepin County Jail through ICE’s Criminal Alien Program, aimed at identifying and detaining criminal aliens in various detention facilities.
Should he be convicted, Velasquez-Velasquez also faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years, with final sentencing likewise decided by a federal district court judge. This case was similarly investigated by ICE ERO and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly M. Hare.
Both individuals will continue to be held in custody until their current legal proceedings conclude and will face deportation following their potential prison sentences.
