COLUMBUS, Ohio – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio disclosed new federal charges against nine individuals for alleged violations of immigration laws, including serious allegations of rape, murder, and gang involvement.
Among the newly charged is Sixto Garcia-Garcia, 34, who faces multiple counts of rape and sexual battery in Franklin County, alongside an outstanding warrant from Texas for reckless homicide. “Garcia-Garcia, a Mexican national, has now also been federally charged with illegal reentry into the United States,” confirmed Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney.
In a related case, Milton Guevara-Cruz, 31, a reported member of the notorious 18th Street gang from El Salvador, was apprehended for illegally reentering the U.S. after deportation. Documents suggest Guevara-Cruz belongs to the gang’s Tyni Locos Surenos clique and has been previously arrested in El Salvador for gang-related activities.
Further indictments include Roberto Carlos Mar-Herrara, 33, a Mexican national charged with illegal reentry after multiple deportations, currently detained on drug trafficking charges. Jose Antonio Alvarenga, 43, another El Salvadoran, faces similar charges after his arrest in New Lebanon, Ohio.
Additionally, agents arrested Ever Amador-Medina, 37, in Butler County Jail. The Honduran native, previously deported twice, is now facing federal charges for illegal reentry.
Last week also saw four other individuals pleading guilty to federal immigration crimes. These defendants, identified as Elmer Edison Rodriguez-Guzman, Sergio Gutierrez-Hernandez, Mario Juarez-Iribe, and Carlos Gonzales Hernandez, are awaiting sentencing.
“Reentering the United States illegally after deportation is a serious offense, potentially resulting in up to 20 years of imprisonment, especially for those with aggravated felony convictions,” stated Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Detroit.