Woman Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison

Tucson, Ariz. – A 30-year-old woman from Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, who was apprehended by Douglas Station Border Patrol agents in February 2011, was sentenced last week to 36 months of confinement.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Maria Soto-Favela following her 2011 apprehension for attempting to illegally re-enter the United States. During processing, agents using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System learned that Soto-Favela was convicted in 2002 in Maricopa County, Arizona, for felony armed robbery, felony attempted aggravated assault and theft. She was sentenced to four years in prison. Records also indicated Soto-Favela was previously deported from the United States in January 2011.

Following the Border Patrol’s initial processing, the case was submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for re-entry of a felon. Soto-Favela will be formally removed from the U.S. following her 36-month incarceration and is now banned for life from all legalization processes.

All illegal immigrants apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using IAFIS. This vital tool accesses criminal records throughout the United States, enabling agents to quickly identify violent criminals and wanted persons.

As part of a targeted enforcement strategy, the Tucson Sector places individuals into impact programs designed to prevent them from deciding to commit a subsequent illegal entry. Prosecution in federal court is one of the impact programs used on individuals with prior criminal convictions.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity and remain anonymous by calling the Border Patrol at (877) 872-7435 toll free.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.