PHILADELPHIA, PA — Federal courts in Philadelphia sentenced four men this week for illegally reentering the United States after prior deportations, underscoring efforts by U.S. authorities to enforce immigration laws.
On Thursday, June 5, United States District Judge Juan R. Sánchez sentenced Eric Gonzalez, 44, a Colombian national, to 12 months and one day in prison. Gonzalez, who had been deported in 2008 following a robbery conviction in New Jersey, was apprehended in October 2024 after serving a state sentence for theft. Charged with illegal reentry in December 2024, he pleaded guilty in February 2025. He will be deported again after serving his federal sentence.
Eddy Rondon Salcedo, 34, a Dominican national, was sentenced to time served, equivalent to five months, by Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg on Thursday. Rondon Salcedo, a former lawful permanent resident, was deported in 2021 after a federal drug conviction involving heroin and fentanyl. He was arrested in December 2024, charged with illegal reentry in February 2025, and pleaded guilty shortly thereafter. He is also set to be removed from the U.S.
On Monday, Judge Goldberg sentenced Wilmer Yovani Fuentes-Benitez, 34, a Honduran national, to time served, approximately four months. Fuentes-Benitez, who has been deported three times since 2008 for offenses including aggravated assault and participation in an alien smuggling operation, was apprehended earlier this year. After pleading guilty in March 2025, he will once again be deported.
Also on Monday, Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro sentenced Rolan Hilario Morantin-Mota, 39, a Dominican national, to time served, roughly three months, for illegal reentry. Morantin-Mota, deported in 2019 following a drug possession charge, was detained earlier this year, indicted, and pleaded guilty in March. He is expected to be removed again.
These cases, handled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, highlight continued enforcement of federal immigration statutes. Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell, Shayna Gannone, and S. Chandler Harris prosecuted the cases.
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