PCSO detective arrests Mexican citizen for illegal reentry into U.S.

A Mexican citizen is facing felony charges for illegally re-entering the United States after a prior deportation following his arrest by a Pinal County sheriff’s detective authorized to enforce federal immigration laws.

On Nov.24, PCSO Detective Mark Guemes arrested Fernando Magallenez-Orona, 26, on state charges related to suspected drug dealing in Casa Grande, Ariz. Guemes, who has been designated with the authority to enforce federal immigration laws by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), determined that Magallenez was an illegal alien from Mexico who had been formally removed from the United States. Magallenez has two prior felony convictions for possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Nov. 26, Detective Guemes presented Magallenez for federal prosecution in the United States District Court, District of Arizona, for being a criminal alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after having been ordered removed. If convicted, Magallenez could face up to 10 years in prison on the federal charges. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Protecting our communities from criminal aliens is one of the cornerstones of the 287(g) program,” said Special Agent in Charge Matt Allen, head of ICE’s Office of Investigations in Arizona, in reference to the program granting immigration authority to the county’s deputies. “This arrest and potential conviction sends a strong message to criminal illegal aliens: If they come back here after deportation, they will be facing some hard time when they are arrested again.”

Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez reached an agreement in March 2008 with ICE to provide immigration authority to sheriff’s deputies under the 287(g) program. The 287(g) program permits state and local law enforcement agencies’ designated officers to perform immigration law enforcement functions, pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), provided that the local law enforcement officers receive appropriate training and function under the supervision of ICE.

The program enables deputies to determine the immigration status of those encountered during the normal course of duties and to initiate removal proceedings for those found to be in the country illegally. Jail enforcement officers are able to interview foreign national inmates in the county’s correctional facilities to determine whether there is probable cause for an immigration violation.

Submitted photo