Deported Alien Charged With Violating Federal Immigration Laws

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Guanajuato, Mexico has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of violating federal immigration laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Maria Del Rocio Veloz-Alonso, 28, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about January 14, 2013, Veloz­Alonso was found to be unlawfully present within the United States. Veloz-Alonso had been previously ordered deported and removed from the United States on August 27, 2010 and was removed from the United States on April 1, 2011. The defendant subsequently reentered the United States, and was found to be present in this country without the permission of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 2 years in prison, a fine of$250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines; the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christine A. Sanner is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.