Posted 12:51 am Wednesday, March 10, 2010
27-Year-Old Mexican Previously Has Been Deported
DAYNA WORCHEL
Staff Writer
A 27-year-old illegal Mexican immigrant who had previously served time in jail and been deported on charges of entering the U.S. illegally, entered a plea of guilty to the same charge on Tuesday in U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie's courtroom.
Staff Writer
A 27-year-old illegal Mexican immigrant who had previously served time in jail and been deported on charges of entering the U.S. illegally, entered a plea of guilty to the same charge on Tuesday in U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie's courtroom.
Edgar Torres Solis, who has been housed in the Gregg County jail since October, faces a possible penalty of up to 20 years in jail and up to a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced in U.S. Judge Leonard Davis' courtroom.
According to information presented in court, Solis was convicted in October of 2007 of illegally entering the country and served 149 days in jail. He was then deported to his native Mexico, but returned illegally to the United States soon afterward, where he was once again arrested on charges of entering the country illegally.
In the courtroom, Judge Guthrie explained to Solis, with the aide of a translator, that she guessed that he might receive a sentence of two to three years. "That is just a guess, however, until an investigation is done and a report is written -- Judge Davis doesn't have to follow those guidelines.
The judge explained that the federal sentencing guidelines are calculated based on both the offense committed and the defendant's criminal history.
"I understand why people want to live here -- there are many opportunities and freedoms here. You can't enjoy those opportunities unless you are here legally because this is a law-abiding country," Judge Guthrie said.
Defense Attorney Ken Hawk said after the hearing that Solis' only crime was "in being here."
