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, Santiago-Hernandez, age 40, 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 Santiago-Hernandez was previously removed from the United States on March 19, 2015, through Laredo, 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 July 2, 2022, Santiago-Hernandez was encountered in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and the Pennsylvania State Police. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

Jose Serrano-Castillo, age 31, of El Salvador, was indicted by a federal grand jury with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously removed alien.  The indictment alleges that Serrano-Castillo was previously removed from the United States on September 2, 2022, through Alexandria, Louisiana, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first obtaining legal permission to do so.  The indictment also alleges that on March 16, 2023, Serrano-Castillo was encountered in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE).  The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 8 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

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

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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