Man Faces Possible Deportation for the 4th Time

Sheriff's deputies in Putnam County, New York have arrested a Guatemalan man who has been deported from the U.S three times since 2002, and now faces deportation once more.

William D. Mejia, 31, was taken into police custody after sheriff's deputies found him inside a vacant house. Mejia is currently being held at the Putnam County jail on a federal immigration detainer. He has been charged with criminal trespassing and  unlawful possession of marijuana.

Mejia now stands to face deportation for a fourth time.

Mejia was arraigned before Southeast Justice Richard Vercollone, and is due back in court on August 10.  Bail was set at $5,000 cash.

Sheriff Donald B. Smith said that Mejia's case shows that the battle against illegal immigration should be fought at the federal level.  He expressed his opinion that without action being taken at the federal level, illegal immigrants who commit crimes will continue to cycle through the justice system and come right back into the United States, even after being deported.

Mejia was first deported in 2002, again in October 2007 for convicted unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and a third time in December 2008 for assault.  Mejia may have been deported in early 2008 under a different name.  In 2004 he was convicted for driving while impaired.

To learn more about deportation and immigration crimes, please click here to find an immigration attorney near you .