1 alien found with outstanding warrants in Puerto Rico and New York
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol Agents arrested Wednesday 7 aliens found along with others inside a wooden “yola” type vessel, intercepted by Puerto Rico Police officers near Aguadilla on Sunday.
Francisco Marte, 47, Ramon Villa, 36, citizens of the Dominican Republic, and Herman Radames Vendryes, 66, citizen of Haiti, will appear today before US District Court Magistrate Sylvia Carreño-Coll, facing charges for violation of title 8 United States Code, Section 1326, for attempting to reenter after a prior removal that was subsequent to a conviction for commission of an aggravated felony. Juanel Carpio Guerra, 34, Narciso Antonio Garcia-Jimenez, 45, Jafet Batista Severino, 28, and Manuel Paulino, 36, citizens of the Dominican Republic, also appeared before the court for attempting to reenter after a previous removal.
“Previously deported aliens that have been removed after serving time in our criminal justice system attempt to return concealing themselves among other migrants,” stated Ramiro Cerrillo, Chief Patrol Agent for Ramey Sector in Aguadilla. “We remain vigilant to detect them and arresting them.”
Near midnight on May 14, a CBP Air and Marine Operations DHC-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) detected a vessel 10 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. A Puerto Rico Police FURA Marine Unit intercepted the vessel approximately 6 nautical miles from shore.
Two additional subjects from the Dominican Republic who claimed that they had jumped in the water from the vessel before being intercepted by FURA were rescued near the coast of Aguadilla.
All aliens boarded the US Coast Guard cutter Heriberto Hernandez for biometric processing. USCG repatriated 21 migrants to the Dominican Republic.
One of the aliens that was rescued from the water, Ramon Antonio Castillo, 51, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, has 2 active warrants for arrest from Puerto Rico and New York for Homicide charges. Custody was transferred to the Puerto Rico Police Special Arrest and Extraditions Unit.
Border Patrol agents presented the case to the on-duty Assistant US Attorney Evelyn Canals for prosecution.
If convicted Mr. Marte, Mr. Villa and Mr. Vendryes face a fine or imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both. If convicted Mr. Guerra, Mr. Garcia-Jimenez, Mr. Severino and Mr. Paulino face a fine or imprisonment for not more than 2 years or both.
