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ALIEN INDICTED ON ONE COUNT OF ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY
ZERAFIN LOPEZ-ALLELA, age 43, a citizen of Mexico, was charged today in a one-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for illegal re-entry by an alien previously removed, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, on or about September 18, 2011, LOPEZ-ALLELA, an alien who had previously been removed from the United States, was found in the United States, in Jefferson Parish within the Eastern District of Louisiana, without having obtained consent from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.
If convicted, LOPEZ-ALLELA, who was convicted of an aggravated felony prior to his previous removal, faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a fine of $250,000.00 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations as part of Operation Cross Check, which targeted convicted criminal aliens. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir.