William Jesus Brandel-mena Pleads Guilty To Illegal Re-entry

WILLIAM JESUS BRANDEL-MENA, age 34, a citizen of Honduras, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Susie Morgan to a one-count indictment charging him with illegal re-entry by a removed alien, announced U. S. Attorney Dana Boente.

According to court documents, BRANDEL admitted to being an alien who had previously been removed from the United States, was found in the United States, in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana on March 26, 2012, without having obtained consent from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.

The indictment charging BRANDEL with illegal re-entry also included a notice of sentencing enhancement based on his prior aggravated felony conviction.  With the enhancement, the charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three  years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  Sentencing for BRANDEL is scheduled for June 5, 2013 at 2:00 P.M.   

The case was investigated as part of a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE) national operation known as Operation Cross Check, which targeted fugitive aliens.  ICE was assisted in this investigation by the Kenner Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir and Assistant U. S. Attorney Jon Maestri.

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