Sioux City, Iowa — A Mexican national, who was arrested in O’Brien County last year, has been convicted of illegal re-entry in federal court.
According to federal authorities, 38-year-old Miguel Rodriguez-Chavez admitted to being arrested in O’Brien County on April 21st of last year. Officials say further investigation conducted by law enforcement revealed Rodriguez-Chavez was a citizen of Mexico and was previously removed from the United States on five (5) occasions; May 28, 2003, April 30, 2004, January 1, 2016, October 14, 2016, and March 19, 2020.
Authorities say Rodriguez-Chavez further admitted at the plea hearing that, on July 17, 2006, he was convicted in the Superior Court of Arizona, Yuma County, for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Instrument, which is an aggravated felony.
Sentencing in Federal District Court in Sioux City will be set once a presentence report is prepared. Authorities say Rodriguez-Chavez faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
Officials say the case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office.
Rodriguez-Chavez remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.
