COLUMBUS, Ohio - An illegal alien from Mexico pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to illegally reentering the United States after previously being convicted of a felony crime.

Jamie Cruz-Bobadilla, 42, was previously convicted of cocaine trafficking crimes.

According to court documents, Columbus police officers encountered Cruz-Bobadilla in February 2025 during a traffic stop. The defendant provided officers a false identity, but his true identity was confirmed via fingerprints and immigration photos.

Cruz-Bobadilla was in the United States illegally after being deported in 2012 following a prison term. In spring 2012, Cruz-Bobadilla was convicted in Wake County, North Carolina, of four felonies related to cocaine trafficking.

Illegally reentering the United States after being convicted of a felony is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jeremy Pierczynski, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the guilty plea entered before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin W. Kelley is representing the United States in this case.

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