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Press Release

Aggravated Felon Arrested For Illegal Reentry After Previous Deportation

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

Ocala, FL – U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the arrest of Jose Merced Sanchez De La Torre (age 43) on a federal criminal complaint alleging illegal re-entry into the United States by an alien with a prior aggravated felony conviction. If convicted of the offense, Sanchez De La Torre faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, on August 31, 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received a tip that a residence in Ocala contained illegal aliens and firearms. The FBI requested the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP researched the address and determined that one of the residents, Sanchez De La Torre, was an illegal alien from Mexico who had previously been deported from the United States in 2015, following federal convictions for an aggravated felony—unlawful possession of a firearm—and seven counts of structuring financial transactions. On September 8, 2020, Border Patrol agents executed an arrest warrant at Sanchez De La Torre’s Ocala residence and took him into custody.    

This case was investigated by the FBI, CBP, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie Boyer.

Updated September 10, 2020

Topic
Immigration