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May 6, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mexican Citizen Entered Guilty Plea
To Illegally Re-Entering the United States

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 40 year old Mexican citizen entered a plea of guilty on May 1, 2009, in United States District Court in Martinsburg before Magistrate Judge David J. Joel.

United States Attorney Sharon L. Potter announced that ARTURO VARGAS GARCIA entered a plea of guilty to an Indictment charging him with illegally re-entering the United States after having been previously removed from the country. GARCIA was previously removed from the United States in 1999 after having been convicted of the sale/transportation of heroin in Los Angeles Superior Court.

GARCIA, who is currently in custody pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin K. Reisenweber. The case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement.