Man Sentenced for Re-Entering
the United States Illegally

Lafayette, Louisiana (FBI) -- Santos Candelo-Mosquera, age 52 was sentenced to 64 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years supervised release by United States District Judge Richard T. Haik for aggravated reentry of a deported alien after conviction for a felony offense and deportation, announced United States Attorney Donald W. Washington.

Candelo-Mosquera was last deported to Colombia on or about August 6, 1997, following the conviction and serving a portion of a sentence for transporting and possession of cocaine. He was most recently arrested by local law enforcement July 7, 2004, in St. Martin Parish for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Records show that Candelo-Mosquera has not been granted permission by the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for admission back in to the United States which is required by law.

Sentencing in federal court is determined by the discretion of federal judges and the governing statute. United States Sentencing Guidelines established by the United States Congress and the United States Sentencing Commission are only used as guidelines by the judge in determining the appropriate sentence. Parole has been abolished in the federal system.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol . The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Howard C. Parker.