Criminal alien who illegally re-entered US sentenced to more than 4 years in federal prison

ORLANDO, Fla. - Ronald Smith, 51, a citizen of Jamaica who was previously deported, was sentenced Wednesday to 54 months in federal prison, following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Florida Highway Patrol and the Social Security Administration.

Smith was convicted of false impersonation of a U.S. citizen, falsely representing a social security number, aggravated identity theft, and illegal re-entry after deportation.

He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven.

According to court documents, Smith was deported in 2003 after numerous criminal convictions including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He returned to the United States unlawfully and he then used the identity of a U.S. citizen to obtain a state of Florida driver's license, work in the United States illegally, attain medical care and avoid detection from federal and state authorities for several years.

Smith will be removed from the United States after he serves his sentence.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie E. Gorman.