BUFFALO — Jose Manuel Salazar Estrada, 38, of Mexico, pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States after a conviction for an aggravated felony. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Lamarque and Scott S. Allen, who are handling the case, stated that on December 7, 2016, Estrada was encountered at the Peace Bridge port of entry after getting lost and turning around on the bridge before reaching Canada. When he was initially questioned, the defendant claimed to be a citizen of the United States, born in Arizona. Standard record checks revealed that Estrada is a citizen of Mexico and had been deported from the United States on five prior occasions. The most recent deportation occurred in 2015, after the defendant was convicted in Arizona of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens for profit, an aggravated felony, and banned from entering the United States for life.
The plea is the result of an investigation by United States Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Hilmey.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 4.
from US Dept. of Justice via IFTTT
