Two Largo Ministers, Both Convicted Felons, Indicted For Illegal Reentry Into The United States
Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces the return of indictments charging Anner Javier Maldonado-Reyes (39, Largo) and Maria Guadalupe Maldonado (38, Largo) with illegal reentry into the United States.
If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
According to the indictments, Anner Maldonado-Reyes, who has operated under several aliases over the years, including “Jose Martinez-Reyes,” “Juan Martinez,” and “Pedro Vargas-Monteramos,” has previously been removed from the United States on at least two occasions: in February 1999 and in February 2008. His February 1999 removal came after a conviction in Los Angeles County, California for possession of cocaine base for sale.
Maria Guadalupe Maldonado, who also has had several aliases over the years, including “Stephanie Sanchez,” was removed from the United States in October 1996 following a conviction in Los Angeles County, California for transportation/sale of a controlled substance.
These individuals do not have legal status in the United States and have not received permission from the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission.
Government records indicate that Anner and Maria Maldonado are the founders of, and employed as ministers in the church Ministerio Internacional Jesucristo Es Mi Refugio which officials stated was located in Largo, Florida.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, with assistance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray.