The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio has recently unveiled a set of immigration-related charges and convictions aimed at four individuals involved in separate illegal reentry cases.
These prosecutions are part of the ongoing initiatives by the district’s Immigration Enforcement Task Force, reflecting a commitment to combat immigration violations throughout the area.
On Monday, law enforcement arrested 35-year-old Sergio Diego-Sevilla, a Mexican national, in Licking County on charges of illegal reentry. Previously deported from Arizona, he was apprehended when deputies pulled over a vehicle suspected of being involved in human smuggling. Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered Diego-Sevilla along with three others and found $8,000 in cash, suggesting potential trafficking operations.
In Cincinnati, 38-year-old Edgar Palomares-Ventura pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of illegally reentering the United States. A Mexican citizen who had been deported from Texas in 2022, he was located in West Chester in February. His past criminal record includes offenses related to marijuana trafficking and fraud, which have contributed to the federal case against him.
On Wednesday, Brayan Castaneda-Juarez, a 32-year-old Mexican national, acknowledged his guilt regarding illegal reentry and unlawful possession of a firearm. After being previously removed from Texas, he was apprehended while attempting to shoplift at Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati. A search of his person revealed a 9mm pistol—this poses a significant legal issue as federal regulations prohibit unauthorized immigrants from possessing firearms.
Additionally, Ismael Rodriguez-Mojica, a 47-year-old Salvadoran national with a history of three prior deportations, is facing new charges following an encounter with ICE officers in Columbus earlier this year. He is now charged again with illegal reentry, indicating a pattern of recurrent violations.
Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris emphasized that these cases are in their preliminary stages, stating, “Charging documents merely contain allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.” The Immigration Enforcement Task Force continues to prioritize these efforts within the district.
