Domestic Violence offender, and a repeat DUI defendant, both illegally present in U.S., sentenced for returning following deportation

Seattle - Two Mexican citizens, both illegally present in the U.S., were sentenced in the last few weeks for reentry of a removed alien, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Both Jorge Velasquez-Sandoval, 36, and Filadelfo Garcia Garcia, 36, returned to the U.S. after two prior removals.

"These cases typify what we are seeing as the sanctuary policies of Washington State prohibit local officials from cooperating with immigration enforcement," said U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. "Mr. Velasquez-Sandoval was arrested in Snohomish County for domestic violence but was released before immigration agents could take him into custody. When he was arrested again for violating a protection order we were able to secure a judicial warrant for illegally re-entering the United States and keep him detained. Similarly, Mr. Garcia Garcia has multiple DUI convictions and even more arrests. This criminal alien was repeatedly released back into the community rather than turning him over to immigration authorities. It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed because the State refuses to cooperate with federal law enforcement. My office will continue to use the tools we have available to ensure crimes are not committed by individuals who are in United States illegally."

According to records filed in the case, Velasquez-Sandoval was first encountered by law enforcement in 2007 in the Benton County Jail. In February 2009, an immigration judge ordered him removed to Mexico, and he was removed at the San Ysidro, California Port of Entry. In December 2015, Velasquez-Sandoval was encountered by Homeland Security Agents at Tecate, California. Velasquez-Sandoval was again removed from the U.S. at the San Luis, Arizona Port of Entry.

In October 2024, Department of Homeland Security Agents were alerted that Velasquez-Sandoval had been arrested in Snohomish County for 4^th degree assault (domestic violence). Velasquez-Sandoval was released back into the community. DHS was again alerted in September 2025, that Velasquez-Sandoval had been arrested for violating a protection order related to the domestic violence assault.

Homeland Security Agents obtained a judicial warrant for Velasquez-Sandoval's arrest and took him into federal custody on February 5, 2026. On February 26, 2026, Velasquez-Sandoval pleaded guilty.

At the March 31, 2026, sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart said, ""It is clear that Mr. Velasquez-Sandoval has no respect for the law. . .. It looks to me that I've got somebody who's essentially committing crimes every time he's here."

Velasquez-Sandoval will be turned over to immigration authorities and detained while being processed for removal to Mexico.

In the second case, Fidelfo Garcia Garcia was sentenced April 9, 2026. At that sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead said, "I shouldn't have to tell you that drinking and driving is serious…. I take that seriously."

According to records filed in the case, Garcia Garcia was first removed from the U.S. in August 2018. He was found in California and removed a second time in May 2019. In December 2025, Agents learned that Garcia Garcia was arrested in Lewis County and obtained a judicial warrant for his arrest.

In its sentencing request, prosecutors noted that Garcia Garcia has a dangerous history of driving under the influence. "For example, he has DUI convictions from 2014, 2016, and 2025, in addition to other arrests for DUIs that did not result in convictions from June 2015, August 2017, October 2022, and August 2025. He also has multiple arrests for ignition interlock violations over the years, one of which resulted in a conviction. Also concerning is a 2017 arrest for a hit and run of an attended vehicle, which was dismissed after entering into a stipulated order of continuance."

Garcia Garcia will be turned over to immigration authorities and detained while being processed for removal to Mexico.

Both defendants received time served sentences - approximately 54 days for Velasquez-Sandoval and 28 days for Garcia Garcia.

The cases were investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI).

The cases were prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Christine Cáceres. Ms. Cáceres is an attorney with Homeland Security Investigations specially designated to handle immigration matters in federal court.