HONOLULU — Navor Salas-Cruz, 45, a Mexican national residing on Kauai, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright Monday to 30 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after being deported, and for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. As a result of his conviction, Salas-Cruz will be deported after he serves his prison term.
According to court documents and information presented in court, Salas-Cruz was deported on July 10, 2008, after being convicted of illegally reentering the United States after a prior deportation.
Nonetheless, on Dec. 15, 2017, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) special agents again found Salas-Cruz in the United States, residing on Kauai, a press release stated. In addition, at that time of his arrest in 2017, Salas-Cruz illegally possessed three firearms, including a 12 gauge shotgun and two pistols, and numerous rounds of ammunition.
“This office is committed to protecting the community by promoting the integrity of the immigration system,” said U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price. “The efforts of local and federal law enforcement officers in locating this defendant and disarming him is a testament to their tireless efforts to keep our community safe.”
“This sentence demonstrates that there are serious consequences for those who lack respect for our nation’s laws or our borders,” said Frank Cabaddu, acting special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Honolulu. “HSI will continue to work with DOJ and our law enforcement partners to take dangerous recidivists or other felony offenders off our streets and help to disrupt other types of criminal activity.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.