A Mexican national has pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry to the United States after an aggravated felony conviction for a crime of violence, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick.
According to court documents, Jonathan Chavez-Galarza, 28, was removed from the United States on July 15, 2020, following his 2018 conviction in Hennepin County for second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. In that matter, Chavez-Galarza was convicted of stabbing a victim multiple times with a knife.
He was sentenced to—and served—a term of 36 months imprisonment for that offense, prior to his removal. On Dec. 20, 2022, the defendant was removed a second time, following his conviction in the Southern District of Texas for illegal re-entry. Following this last removal to Mexico, Chavez-Galarza knowingly, voluntarily, and unlawfully returned to the United States. Beginning on or around May 24, 2024, and several times afterward, the defendant was observed near his residence in Minneapolis and around the Twin Cities metro area.
Chavez-Galarza pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court before Judge Donovan W. Frank on one count of illegal re-entry to the United States after commission of an aggravated felony. The corresponding plea agreement states that Chavez-Galarza “may” be deported as a result of his guilty plea at sentencing.
Chavez-Galarza is currently being held in Sherburne County Jail. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Marshals Service.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
