KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky said its work continued despite the government shutdown, sentencing eight people on Thursday for immigration-related offenses.
Of the eight individuals, five are from Mexico, one is from Honduras, and two are from Guatemala. Two of the men had prior rape convictions, and two had previous drug-related charges.
“Throughout the 43-day lapse in government funding, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky continued to advance the Department of Justice’s mission in priority enforcement areas, including immigration enforcement,” the Department of Justice said on Nov. 20. “Below are highlights of sentencings that the U.S. Attorney’s Office secured in connection with several immigration-related cases prosecuted during the recent lapse in federal appropriations.”
David Gomez-Rodriguez, 44, of Mexico, was found living in Pulaski County and sentenced to 14 months for illegal reentry into the United States. Officials said he had been deported twice since 2022 and was previously convicted of rape in Nelson County.
Guatemalan national Juan Esteban Mejia-Ajpop, who had been living in Newport, was sentenced to 26 months on Oct. 9 for aggravated identity theft and using false identification documents to obtain employment.
Bernabe Domingo-Aguilar, also living in Newport, was sentenced to 60 months for reentry after a prior felony conviction. Authorities said he allegedly reentered the U.S. four times and had previously been convicted of raping a minor.
Antonio Balderas-Arellano, 25, of Mexico, was sentenced to 21 months after authorities learned he was living in Scott County following his 2023 deportation.
Javier Perez-Ruiz, 37, had previously lived in Scott County and more recently resided in Louisville. Officials said he was convicted in 2012 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
In Corbin, authorities located Jose Hernandez Garcia, 25, during a traffic stop where he was reportedly driving under the influence with a gun inside the vehicle.
The DOJ said Miguel Ruiz Sanchez had been deported four times since 2011 and had a prior felony conviction, though the specific conviction was not included in the release.
In June 2024, Lexington Police officers responded to a shots-fired call and allegedly found Benitez Alcantara in possession of a loaded firearm, 13 live rounds, and cash. After searching his vehicle, authorities discovered 32 grams of methamphetamine. Alcantara was sentenced to 30 months in prison on Nov. 4.
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