Illegal Alien with Serious Criminal History Sentenced to 30 Months

Tucson, Ariz. – Last week, an illegal immigrant with a serious criminal history was convicted and sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

On Aug. 31, Edson Ernesto Lopez-Hernandez, a 25 year-old male from Morelos, Mexico, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years supervised release for attempting to re-enter the United States illegally.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Lopez-Hernandez after he was apprehended on March 8, near Ajo, Ariz. During processing at the Tucson Station, the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) revealed that Lopez-Hernandez was convicted on Aug. 17, 2009, for assault with a deadly weapon or force likely to produce great bodily injury, and served three years in prison. Record checks also revealed Lopez-Hernandez was formally removed on Jan. 11, 2011, through San Ysidro, Calif.

Following initial processing, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol submitted the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for re-entry of an aggravated felon. Following his incarceration for 30 months, Lopez-Hernandez will be formally removed from the country.

All illegal immigrants apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using IAFIS. This vital tool accesses criminal records throughout the United States, thereby assisting agents in quickly identifying violent criminals and wanted persons.

In January 2011, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol implemented the Consequence Delivery System (CDS) as an integral component of its enforcement strategy. Under CDS, Lopez-Hernandez is classified as recidivist with a criminal record. Lopez-Hernandez is now banned for life from all legalization processes without a waiver from the U.S. Attorney General. CDS centers on delivering a targeted consequence to illegal immigrants and simultaneously seeks to disrupt the smuggling cycle and reduce recidivism rates by ensuring consequences are upheld to the full extent of the law.

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has made significant investments toward establishing a secure and safe border environment to improve the quality of life throughout Arizona’s communities.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Report suspicious activity by calling the Border Patrol toll free at (1-877) 872-7435. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.