COLUMBUS, Ohio — A federal grand jury in Columbus has indicted four individuals in separate immigration-related cases, including convicted drug traffickers, an individual with prior firearm and DUI offenses, and an alleged human smuggler caught with undocumented immigrants and thousands in cash.
The charges—ranging from illegal reentry to human smuggling for profit—underscore the federal government’s ongoing efforts to crack down on border-related crimes.
Repeat Offenders Face New Federal Charges
Two of the defendants, Juan Carlos Garcia-Vasquez, 45, and Lino Mendiola-Vanegas, 45, have prior convictions for cocaine trafficking in Franklin County. Both have now been charged with illegal reentry into the United States after being previously deported.
Similarly, Ricardo Martinez-Nunez, 29, has prior convictions for improperly handling a firearm in a vehicle and driving under the influence. Like the others, he was previously deported and is now facing charges of illegal reentry.
Under federal law, illegal reentry is punishable by up to two years in prison. However, those with prior aggravated felony convictions, such as drug trafficking, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Human Smuggling Operation Disrupted in Licking County
Authorities also charged Adalberto Calixto Tolentino, 21, with transporting four undocumented immigrants across the United States for financial gain.
Court documents state that on January 23, the Licking County Sheriff’s Office received information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Southern Arizona regarding a Toyota Highlander with Arizona plates allegedly involved in human smuggling.
Sheriff’s deputies stopped Tolentino’s vehicle and discovered four individuals inside, along with an envelope containing $8,000 in cash. Law enforcement reports indicate that one passenger admitted to paying $10,000 to cross the border into the United States.
Tolentino was initially charged by criminal complaint and arrested on January 24. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest and, if convicted, faces up to 10 years in prison.
Federal Authorities Continue Immigration Enforcement
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth F. Affeldt and Tyler J. Aagard. The indictments are part of broader enforcement efforts led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit Field Office.
Illegally reentering the U.S. is a federal crime that carries severe penalties, particularly for those with criminal histories. The government has consistently prioritized removing individuals with prior felony convictions and disrupting human smuggling operations.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.