Convicted Felons Return to Prison After Sentencing

Tucson, Ariz. – Two Mexican nationals, Julio Cesar Gastelum-Padilla, 28, and Ulises Gonzalez-Bautista, 36, were convicted in U.S. District Court for Illegal Re-entry of an aggravated felon after deportation in late July.

Gastelum-Padilla from Bacobampo, Sonora, Mexico, apprehended by Ajo Station agents in February 2012, was sentenced to 33 months of confinement. While, Gonzalez-Bautista from Ometepec, Guerrero, Mexico, apprehended by Tucson Station agents in March 2012, was sentenced to 42 months of confinement.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted both subjects, after their apprehension for attempting to illegally re-enter the United States as an aggravated felon following a previous deportation. During processing, agents used the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) to learn that Gastelum-Padilla was convicted in 2008 in Pima County, Ariz. for second degree burglary. Records checks revealed Gonzalez-Bautista had a prior conviction from 1998 for conspiracy to commit robbery out of Clark County, Nev.

Following the Border Patrol’s initial processing, the case was submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Gonzalez-Bautista and Gastelum-Padilla will be formally removed from the U.S. following their sentencing time in prison and are now banned for life from any legalization process.

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.

The Tucson Sector Border Patrol is committed to ensuring America’s borders remain safe, and that dangerous individuals are prevented from making it further into the interior of the United States and into our communities.

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 (CBP) 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.