Thrice Deported Mexican Illegal Alien Charged with Illegally Reentering the U.S.A. after Allegedly Killing a 6-Year-Old Girl

RALEIGH, N.C. - On July 22, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging an illegal alien born in Mexico, Jaime Santiago-Corona, also known as "Jaime Guzman Corona," 33, with illegal reentry of a previously removed alien. The indictment alleges that Santiago illegally reentered the United States without permission from immigration authorities after he had previously been deported multiple times.

On July 3, 2026, authorities arrested Santiago after he allegedly ran a stop sign at County Home Road and Warren Jones Road in Pitt County and crashed into a car driven by a mother with her two children, ages 4 and 6. The mother and her 4-year-old daughter suffered serious injuries. In an unspeakably tragedy, 6-year-old Calli died at the scene. The State Highway Patrol charged Santiago with several crimes, including misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. ICE issued a detainer asking North Carolina officials to keep Santiago in custody.

Santiago has a long history of violating immigration laws; deported three separate times: October 9, 2019, June 12, 2023, and again on June 17, 2024. The federal grand jury charged him with violating 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations ("ICE-ERO") is investigating the case. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is the federal division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) responsible for identifying, arresting, detaining, and removing individuals who are subject to removal or unlawfully present in the United States.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North CarolinaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 4:26-CR-00031-FL-KS-1.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.