126 local immigrants charged with illegally re-entering US after being removed from country

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles, Santa Ana and Riverside have charged 126 defendants who allegedly illegally re-entered the United States after being removed, officials announced Monday.

Many of the defendants charged in the operation were previously convicted of felony offenses before they were removed from the U.S., offenses that include manslaughter and crimes against children, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Filed as part of immigration enforcement activities across the region over the past week, the criminal cases charge each defendant with being an illegal alien found in the United States following a previous removal from the United States. The criminal complaints and indictments were filed in federal court in Los Angeles, Santa Ana and Riverside. The recently filed illegal re-entry cases resulted in nearly three dozen arrests over the past week, authorities said.

The crime of being found in the United States following removal carries a base sentence of up to two years in federal prison, defendants who were removed after being convicted of a felony face a maximum 10-year sentence, and defendants removed after being convicted of an aggravated felony face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is enforcing long-standing immigration laws, and illegal aliens who defy lawful removal orders by returning to this nation will be prosecuted,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally said in a statement. “These charges promote respect for the immigration laws. The individuals charged over the past week include sex offenders, narcotics dealers, violent criminals and others who pose a danger to the public.”