Twice-deported Guatemalan man sentenced in Iowa for illegal re-entry, document fraud

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A twice-deported Guatemalan man was sentenced Friday to eight months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States, and fraudulently using a social security number to obtain work.

This sentence resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Cesar Solovi-Valle, 33, an illegal alien from Guatemala and residing in Decorah, Iowa, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge C.J. Williams to a combined term of eight months in federal prison on one count each of unlawfully using identification documents and illegally re-entering the United States. He had previously pleaded guilty to the charges on Jan. 28, 2019.

In a plea agreement, Solovi-Valle admitted that he had previously been deported twice and that he illegally re-entered the United States both times without the permission. Solovi-Valle was deported in September 2004 following his criminal conviction in the Southern District of Texas for illegal entry into the United States. He was deported a second time in August 2008 following his criminal convictions in Allamakee County, Iowa, for operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OWI), and in Clayton County, Iowa, for third-degree criminal mischief.

In his plea agreement, Solovi-Valle also admitted he fraudulently used a Social Security card and a U.S. permanent resident card, also known as a “green card,” when he completed an employment form using an alias in November 2016, at a business in Waukon, Iowa. The Social Security account number on the card used by Solovi-Valle belonged to another person. The Alien Registration number on the “green card” was also issued to another person.

Solovi-Valle was arrested by ICE deportation officers on Nov. 30, 2016, at the business in Waukon where he was working under the alias name.

After he completes his federal prison term, Solovi-Valle must also serve three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Solovi-Valle is being held in U.S. Marshals custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt, Northern District of Iowa.