Several individuals unlawfully present in the United States have been sentenced following guilty pleas, including a citizen of Portugal who destroyed government property, according to an April 30 announcement by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.
The prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative that aims to address illegal immigration and related crimes. The operation focuses on using federal resources to counteract unlawful entry and associated criminal activity.
Tiago Alexandre Sousa-Martins, a citizen and national of Portugal, was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Austin to time served—totaling 103 days—after pleading guilty to ramming government vehicles with his van while trying to evade immigration officers. Sousa-Martins was also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan sentenced Sergio Gonzalez-Suchite and Esner Gudiel Garcia-Ortiz, both citizens and nationals of Guatemala, as well as Nelson Mejia-Amaya from Honduras, each to time served after they pleaded guilty to illegally entering the United States at various locations in Maryland. Additionally, Nery Adelso Asmen-Raymundo faces charges for illegal re-entry after having been previously deported twice; authorities located him in Baltimore.
Hayes said: “These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” She also commended ICE-ERO and FBI for their work on these investigations.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland is part of the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website. The office employs over 200 personnel across civil, criminal and administrative divisions according to its official website and serves nearly six million residents across Maryland according to its official website. It handles federal prosecutions as well as civil litigation involving government interests according to its official website, partnering with law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland according to its official website.
For more information about priorities or community resources available through this office visit their official site.
