BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. — A Honduran man arrested by the Blue Mountain Police Department has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison after authorities determined he had previously been deported from the United States twice and had multiple federal felony convictions.
Fredis Ramos-Serrano, 51, also known as Carlos Roberta Galvez-Jovel, was sentenced Wednesday to 57 months in federal prison following his conviction for illegally reentering the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.
The case developed after Ramos-Serrano was arrested by Blue Mountain police. Authorities subsequently determined that he was a citizen of Honduras who did not have legal status to remain in the United States.
Federal prosecutors said Ramos-Serrano had an extensive history of federal convictions. Under an alias, he was convicted in the Northern District of Mississippi for his role in a methamphetamine conspiracy in 2003. He also had other federal felony convictions, including a previous illegal reentry conviction.
According to federal authorities, Ramos-Serrano had previously been deported to Honduras on two separate occasions following his convictions and had never received permission to lawfully reenter the United States.
Chief U.S. District Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Ramos-Serrano to 57 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release if he remains in the United States.
However, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed an immigration detainer on Ramos-Serrano. Federal officials said the detainer is expected to result in his removal from the United States after he completes his prison sentence.
U.S. Attorney Scott Leary credited cooperation between federal authorities and the Blue Mountain Police Department, including the department’s participation in the federal 287(g) program, which allows designated local law enforcement officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions in partnership with ICE.
Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright said partnerships with local agencies such as Blue Mountain police help federal authorities identify people who unlawfully return to the country after being removed.
Blue Mountain Police Chief Chris Joshlin emphasized that his department’s primary responsibility remains public safety.
“We will continue doing everything within our authority to keep the Town of Blue Mountain safe, regardless of a person’s background, nationality or immigration status,” Joshlin said. “Our priority is public safety and treating every person we encounter with fairness, dignity, and respect.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Herzog Jr. prosecuted the case.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
