10 indicted on federal immigration violations in Paducah, Bowling Green

Federal grand juries in Paducah and Bowling Green returned indictments this week charging ten illegal aliens with immigration violations. The charges included illegal reentry after deportation or removal, possessing a firearm as an illegal alien, and use of a false passport. 

In a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky,
United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Just this week, our Office obtained ten federal indictments against illegal aliens that refuse to obey our country’s law and sovereignty. Some of these defendants have been charged with reentering our country illegally after having been previously removed. Others have been charged with purchasing and possessing firearms while unlawfully present. No matter the offense, the conduct alleged in the indictments demonstrates an unwillingness to follow the laws of our land.”

According to the indictments, five men were indicted in Paducah, including:

Juan Jose Ochoa-Avila, age 45, a citizen of Honduras, was charged in Paducah with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents, Ochoa-Avila purchased a 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun earlier this year in Graves County. The Mayfield Police Department recovered the firearm from Ochoa-Avila’s residence. Ochoa-Avila left Kentucky and was arrested in South Carolina. Court records show that Ochoa-Avila was convicted of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien in 2008. He was deported to Honduras. Ochoa-Avila unlawfully returned to the United States and, in 2011, was convicted of Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien in New Jersey. Ochoa-Avila was again deported from the United States in 2015. Court records also show that Ochoa-Avila is wanted on a Murder warrant out of Honduras issued in 2019 and is the subject of an Interpol red notice. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. 

Misael Hernandez Romero, age 35, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation. In July, Hernandez Romero was an alien found in the United States after having been deported in 2012 and 2017. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Errson Lopez Gomez, age 39, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation. In July, Lopez Gomez was an alien found in the United States after having been deported in 2017.  If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. 

Candelario Pastor-Gonzalez, age 31, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation. In July, Pastor-Gonzalez was an alien found in the United States after having been deported in 2017 and 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. 

Mario Rodriguez-Gonzalez, age 58, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation. On August 3, Rodriguez-Gonzalez was an alien found in the United States after having been deported in 2004. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. 

Five others were indicted in Bowling Green.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.

Complete details are posted at  justice.gov .


(Photo: U.S. Western District Court, Paducah)