The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings on February 3, 2010, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, LAURA LOPEZ-CORREON, a 20-year-old citizen of Mexico, pled guilty to illegal re-entry after deportation. Sentencing is set for May 5, 2010. She is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia K. Hurd, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On December 2, 2009, LOPEZ-CORREON was encountered at the Greyhound Bus Station in Billings by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent. The agent observed LOPEZ-CORREON standing in the bus station. He asked her in English if she knew when the next bus would arrive. LOPEZ-CORREON did not speak any English. He then asked her where she was from in Spanish and LOPEZ-CORREON stated she was from Mexico. He identified himself as an Immigration Officer and asked LOPEZ-CORREON as to her citizenship. LOPEZ-CORREON stated she was from Mexico. He asked if she had documentation to be or remain in the United States. LOPEZ-CORREON responded "no." It was determined through record checks and a fingerprint comparison that LOPEZ-CORREON had been previously removed from the United States on July 14, 2009, at Calexico, California. Further review of immigration records did not reveal any evidence that LOPEZ-CORREON had received permission from the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reenter the United States after having been removed.

LOPEZ-CORREON faces possible penalties of 2 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 1 year supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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