Thread: S.C. - Honduras native pleads guilty to illegal re-entry

Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 4:57 pm | Updated: 8:30 pm, Thu Jan 10, 2013.
scnow.com

COLUMBIA -- A Honduras native pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry into the United States in federal court in Florence, according to United States Attorney Bill Nettles on Thursday.

Gerson Urbina-Padilla, 22, of Norcross, Ga., entered a guilty plea to illegal re-entry, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a)(2). United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Urbina-Padilla is a native and citizen of Honduras who was removed from the United States on Dec. 20, 2010. On Oct. 26, 2012, ICE agents were contacted by the Florence County Detention Center after Urbina-Padilla was arrested by the Florence County Sheriff's Office for possession of cocaine. Urbina-Padilla had not obtained authorization to reenter the United States after his prior deportation.

Nettles stated the maximum penalty Urbina-Padilla can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for two years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day II of the Florence office handled the case.

Honduras native pleads guilty to illegal re-entry - SCNow.com: Local News

Gerson Urbina-Padilla, 22, of Norcross, Ga

No, No, No! Urbina-Padilla from HONDURAS, temporarily squatting in Norcross, Ga. is how it should read! He is illegal, saying he is a resident of Norcross implies he's a legal citizen. I believe the press should quit making the statement of any illegal being a "resident" when the truth is they are a border jumper!