United States Attorney David I. Courcelle announced on Mar. 19 that Elvin Leonardo Oliva-Rodriguez, a 37-year-old native of Honduras, was indicted on March 13 for reentry of a removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration and enforce federal laws regarding individuals who have previously been deported from the United States.
According to court documents, Oliva-Rodriguez was apprehended during a traffic stop while traveling westbound on Interstate 12. During the stop, a Border Patrol Officer determined that Oliva-Rodriguez was in the country illegally and had previously been deported on February 28, 2014, following an arrest in McAllen, Texas.
If convicted, Oliva-Rodriguez faces up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Courcelle said: “An indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
This case is part of Operation Take Back America. The initiative brings together resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods to address illegal immigration and related criminal activity. Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs Enforcement Border Protection in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is overseeing the prosecution.
