Baltimore, Maryland - Several aliens, unlawfully in the United States, recently pled guilty and received their sentences, including a Portugal citizen and national, who destroyed government property. These prosecutions are in connection with the Department of Justice's Operation Take Back America.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the prosecutions with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) - Baltimore Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Austin sentenced Tiago Alexandre Sousa-Martins, 30, to time served - totaling 103 days - after he pled guilty to using his van to ram government vehicles while attempting to escape immigration officers. Judge Austin also ordered Sousa-Martins to pay $1,000 in restitution.

Additionally, U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan sentenced:

• Sergio Gonzalez-Suchite, 36, to time served after he pled guilty to illegally entering the United States. Law enforcement found the Guatemalan citizen and national in Trappe, Maryland.
• Nelson Mejia-Amaya, 36, to time served after he pled guilty to illegally entering the United States. Law enforcement discovered the Honduran citizen and national in Prince George's County, Maryland.
• Esner Gudiel Garcia-Ortiz, 33, to time served after he pled guilty to illegally entering the United States. Law enforcement encountered the Guatemalan citizen and national in Ocean City, Maryland.

In addition, Nery Adelso Asmen-Raymundo, 43, is charged by criminal complaint with illegal re-entry by a previously deported alien. Authorities removed Asmen-Raymundo from the U.S. on two prior occasions - once in November 2009, and again in March 2010. Law enforcement found the Guatemalan citizen and national in Baltimore.

These cases are 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.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO and FBI for its work in these investigations. Ms. Hayes also thanked the Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted these federal cases.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-mdLinks 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..

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