Convicted Felon Returned to Prison for Re-entering U.S.

Tucson, Ariz. – A 30-year-old man from Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, apprehended by Willcox Station Border Patrol agents in October 2011 near Whetstone, Ariz., was sentenced Tuesday to 57 months of confinement.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Antonio Gonzalez-Sandoval following his 2011 apprehension for attempting to illegally re-enter the United States. During processing at the Willcox Station, agents using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) learned Gonzalez-Sandoval was convicted in Cobb County, Ga., in 2006 for felony violation of the controlled substance act and three counts of felony possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Record checks also revealed Gonzalez-Sandoval had two prior convictions for reckless drinking and driving without a license in 2009 and 2010 in California.

Following the Border Patrol’s initial processing, the case was submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for re-entry of a felon. Gonzalez-Sandoval will be formally removed from the U.S. following his 57-month incarceration and is now banned for life from all legalization processe

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 influence their decision not to commit a subsequent illegal entry. One impact program involves individuals with prior criminal convictions being prosecuted in federal court.

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