I.C.E. News Release

December 15, 2010
Harrisburg, PA

7 charged with immigration fraud in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced the indictment of seven individuals charged in unrelated allegations of immigration fraud. The indictments are the result of an on-going partnership between the U.S. attorney's office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The U.S. attorney has assigned a special assistant U.S. attorney to the Middle District to prosecute immigration-related cases.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith, five men were indicted on allegations they illegally reentered the United States following a prior arrest and deportation.

Juan Raya-Garcia, 26, a citizen of Mexico, and Gersom Martinez-Cordero, 29, a citizen of El Salvador, were both apprehended in Franklin County, Pa.

Tonathio Isidro-Agustine, 34, a citizen of Mexico, was apprehended in Cumberland County, Pa.; Josue Filiberto Trejo-Covarrubias, 25, a citizen of Mexico was apprehended in Lebanon County, Pa., and Jorge Eduardo Mendoza, 50, a citizen of Mexico, was apprehended in York County, Pa.

If convicted, all five face up to two years of imprisonment and fines of more than $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Smith also announced two additional indictments related to the on-going cooperative effort with ICE. Isan Contact, 25, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, is charged with hindering removal from the United States. It is alleged that Contact, an alien who was under a final order of removal conspired to hinder his departure from the United States while in York County, Pa. If convicted, Contact faces up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of more than $250,000.

Richard Antonio Pena-Perez, 27, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was also indicted on charges he knowingly made a false material declaration while under oath to the Immigration Court in York. If convicted, Pena-Perez faces up to 15 years imprisonment and fines of more than $500,000.

U.S. Attorney Smith also noted that each individual also faces possible deportation. Prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1012/1 ... isburg.htm