Columbus, Ohio – A federal grand jury has indicted a 48-year-old man who twice entered the United States after prior deportations and serious felony convictions. Jaime Fernandez-Alacron is now facing federal charges after his latest arrest in Ohio, which also involved a series of local offenses.
Multiple Deportations and Felony Convictions
According to federal court records, Fernandez-Alacron had previously been deported from the United States in both 2011 and 2020. His removal followed serious convictions in New York for federal kidnapping conspiracy and firearms violations, crimes that qualify as aggravated felonies under immigration law.
Despite being barred from reentering, Fernandez-Alacron was arrested again this May by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. During that arrest, authorities charged him with felony drug possession, driving while intoxicated, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. The discovery of his immigration status during that encounter prompted further federal investigation, ultimately leading to the grand jury indictment announced this week.
Facing Harsh Federal Penalties
Under U.S. immigration law, reentering the country after deportation is a federal crime. For first-time offenders without prior criminal records, the offense carries a sentence of up to two years. However, harsher penalties apply to those with criminal pasts. Individuals with previous felony convictions, or multiple misdemeanors of specific kinds, can face up to 10 years behind bars. In cases like Fernandez-Alacron’s—where the prior offense involved an aggravated felony—the potential prison sentence can reach up to 20 years.
The indictment was announced by Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, along with Robert Lynch, Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Detroit, and Col. Charles A. Jones, Superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez will lead the prosecution for the United States.
