A 33-year-old man living in Houston is headed back to federal prison after being caught in the United States for the fifth time following a string of deportations and drunk driving convictions.
U.S. District Judge Sim Lake handed down a 42-month sentence for Luis Miguel Sanchez-Martinez this week, citing a blatant “lack of respect for the law” and a track record of “dangerous behavior” that required a stiff deterrent.
Sanchez-Martinez, who is not a U.S. citizen, had previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 19 to charges of illegally reentering the country without authorization.
His history with federal authorities dates back years, primarily tied to a recurring cycle of alcohol-related offenses and removals. Records show that authorities first deported him in November 2020 after he racked up his third conviction for driving under the influence.
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Despite that removal, he returned and was sent back again after a fourth DUI conviction.
The most recent chapter of the case began on Aug. 9, 2024, when law enforcement agents spotted Sanchez-Martinez in Houston.
A quick records check confirmed he had no legal right to be in the country and had bypassed official channels to return yet again.
Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck announced the sentencing, noting that the defendant will remain in custody until he is transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. Once his three-and-a-half-year term is served, he is expected to face formal removal proceedings once more.
The investigation was spearheaded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Law handling the prosecution. This specific case was filed under the umbrella of Operation Take Back America.
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