Aggravated Felon Receives 71 Months in Prison

C.B.P. News Release

Aggravated Felon Receives 71 Months in Prison

(Friday, May 11, 2012)

Tucson, Ariz. – A 38-year-old male from Tecoban, Colima, Mexico, apprehended by Tucson Station CBP U.S. Border Patrol agents in October 2011 near Arivaca, Ariz., was sentenced April 18, 2012, to 71 months of confinement with three years of supervised release.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Salvador Gomez-Lopez following his 2011 apprehension for illegal re-entry of an aggravated felon into the United States. During processing agents using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) learned Gomez-Lopez had multiple convictions for drug possession with intent to distribute in 1994, 1996, 2002 and 2005 out of Fresno County, Calif.

Following the Border Patrol’s initial processing, the case was submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Gomez will be formally removed from the U.S. following his 71-month incarceration and is now banned for life from any legalization process.

All illegal immigrants apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using IAFIS. This vital tool accesses criminal records throughout the United States, enabling agents to quickly identify violent criminals and wanted persons.

As part of a targeted enforcement strategy, the Tucson Sector places individuals into impact programs designed to influence their decision not to commit a subsequent illegal entry. One impact program involves individuals with prior criminal convictions being prosecuted in federal court.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity and remain anonymous by calling the Border Patrol at (877) 872-7435 toll free.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Department of Homeland Security

Aggravated Felon Receives 71 Months in Prison - CBP.gov