Mexican Man Illegally Residing In West Virginia Pleads Guilty To Immigration Crime

Friday, July 4, 2025, 9:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher:  Englebrook Independent News,

CHARLESTON, W.VA.- A 22-year-old Mexican national, illegally residing in Charleston, West Virginia, will be facing up to two years in federal prison before he is ultimately removed from the United States, after pleading guilty on Tuesday to unlawfully reentering the United States after being removed.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Federico Montalvo Salas, 22, of Mexico, illegally residing in Charleston, West Virginia, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas E. Johnston to one count of Illegal Reentry into the United States by a Deported Alien.

Judge Johnston Schedules Salas To Be Sentenced In October

     Following entering his guilty plea, Judge Johnston accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for October 23, 2025. At that time, Salas faces up to 24 months in federal prison, at least one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. At sentencing, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Salas’ prior criminal history.

     Salas, who currently has a Federal Immigration detainer lodged against him, will face immediate administrative deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed and will be removed from the United States.

According To Court Documents

     According to court documents and statements made in the District Court, on March 28, 2025, Salas was taken into custody in South Charleston, West Virginia. Following Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officials confirming that Salas was a Mexican citizen illegally in the United States, after being deported, he was formally charged.

     Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officials confirmed that Salas was removed from the United States to Mexico on June 28, 2025, after being found that day near Douglas, Arizona. Sometime after his removal in June 2024, on an unknown date and at an unknown location, Salas illegally reentered the United States without permission or legal authorization.

     Acting U.S. Attorney Johnston commended the investigative work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement Removal Operations, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.