HARRISBURG — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two previously deported men were indicted separately by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Daniel Godinez-Pelcastre, age 54, of Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously removed alien. The indictment alleges that Godinez-Pelcastre was previously removed from the United States on March 29, 2017, through Brownsville, Texas, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first obtaining legal permission to do so.  The indictment also alleges that on November 21, 2022, Godinez-Pelcastre was encountered in Adams County, Pennsylvania.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Hector Cristales-Najarro, age 25, of Guatemala, was indicted by a federal grand jury with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously removed alien.  The indictment alleges that Cristales-Najarro was previously removed from the United States on February 11, 2020, through San Antonio, Texas, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first obtaining legal permission to do so.  The indictment also alleges that on December 26, 2022, Cristales-Najarro was encountered in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and the Harrisburg Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses are 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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