An illegal alien from Honduras has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after being deported twice, following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando. Elmer Edin Chavarria-Morales, 32, was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to the charge on August 28, 2024.
According to court records, Chavarria-Morales, a citizen of Honduras, has a lengthy criminal history in the United States. He was first convicted of rape in Indiana state court on June 26, 2018, and was subsequently deported on September 21, 2018.
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Despite his removal, Chavarria-Morales illegally reentered the country and was convicted of illegal reentry in the Southern District of Texas on February 22, 2021. He was deported a second time on November 11, 2022.
Chavarria-Morales’ illegal presence in the United States came to light again after the Daytona Beach Police Department arrested him on April 2, 2024 and later convicted of assault (domestic violence) on April 16, 2024. During his arrest, law enforcement discovered that he was once again in the country illegally.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu prosecuted the case, which highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing illegal reentry and repeat offenses by deported individuals.
As immigration enforcement remains a top priority for federal agencies, cases like this highlight the need for robust policies and resources to address illegal reentry and criminal activity by deported individuals.
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