Honduran man indicted for transporting 14 unauthorized immigrants found in van at Bessemer area truck stop

By Kent Faulk
on June 25, 2013 at 4:59 PM, updated June 25, 2013 at 5:13 PM
al.com

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --

Allan Gualberto Mejia-Ponce, 34, was indicted for transporting immigrants illegally living in the country on May 17 and with aggravated illegal re-entry after deportation,according to a joint statement from U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer Jr.

Mejia-Ponce was deported from the United States on Feb. 13, 2012, and July 24, 2012, according to the statement.

"At the time of his arrest, Mejia-Ponce, who previously had been deported from the United States, was transporting 14 individuals who were also unlawfully present in the United States," Vance stated. "Trafficking people across borders and within the United States violates the laws of this country. We are committed to ending this trafficking." .

The group had been arrested at a gas station off Interstate 20/59 near Bessemer, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Indicted along with Mejia-Ponce for illegal re-entry after deportation are:

Nelson Lima-Arana, 20, of Guatemala, previously deported Feb. 17; Yoloxochiti Casto-Angeles, 21, of Mexico, previously deported April 12; Jesus Torres-Paredes, 21, of Mexico, previously deported Feb. 28; Jose Ariel Guevara-Ruiz, 27, of El Salvador, previously deported Jan. 18; and Miguel Angel Ruiz-Guevara, 26, of El Salvador, previously deported March 12, 2006, and Jan. 20, 2010.

The maximum sentence for transporting illegal aliens is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the statement. The maximum sentence for aggravated illegal re-entry after deportation is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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