Illegal Alien Child Rapist Sentenced for Immigration Fraud

USCIS supported the investigation

NEW BERN, N.C. - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services supported an investigation resulting in the sentencing of Juarez Sanchez-Montiel, 41, an illegal alien from Mexico, for immigration fraud. Sanchez was sentenced to seven months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release. Sanchez is already serving a lengthy sentence for child sex abuse convictions.

On Aug. 19, 2024, Sanchez was found guilty by jury of statutory rape of a child 15 years of age or younger, statutory sex offense with a child 15 years of age or younger, and two counts of sex act by a substitute parent or custodian. He was sentenced to 18 to 26 years in prison and required to register as a sex offender. Both victims were under the age of 13, and the abuse resulted in the birth of two children.

In November 2021, Sanchez submitted a Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, a status intended for victims of certain crimes. In the application, he denied committing any unreported crimes and denied involvement in forced or threatened sexual conduct, despite evidence indicating otherwise. He then confessed to knowingly providing false information under penalty of perjury on his application.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated the case with support from USCIS as part of Operation False Haven, an ongoing initiative to aggressively target child molesters and other egregious felons who fraudulently obtain immigration benefits. Upon completion of his prison sentence, Sanchez will be transferred to ICE custody for removal from the United States.

To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.

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