Repeat offender, illegal alien will go to federal prison

CEDAR RAPIDS --- An Honduras citizen arrested 35 times but deported only once will spend up to 15 months in federal prison.

Selvin Hernandez-Flores, 33, was charged this summer in Toledo for public intoxication and possession of marijuana. After pleading guilty, Hernandez-Flores also admitted re-entering the U.S. illegally after deportation more than 12 years ago.

The 15-month penalty is more than twice the recommended length provided by sentencing guidelines.

In explaining her decision Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Linda Reade said Hernandez-Flores had used at least 18 names and birth dates when previously stopped by law enforcement officials. Judge Reade said that likely helped Hernandez-Flores avoid deportation.

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