Source: Office of United States Attorneys
MINNEAPOLIS – Sebastian Saquinga-Topanta, an Ecuadorian national, pleaded guilty to Illegal Reentry into the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326, and Failure to Notify of a Change of Address, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1306(b), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
According to court documents, Sebastian Saquinga-Topanta, 31, did not have a lawful immigration status to enter the United States. On September 1, 2022, Saquinga-Topanta was discovered by the U.S. Border Patrol and was removed from the United States as an undocumented alien. He was returned to Ecuador but, soon after, the defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and unlawfully returned to the United States in December 2022.
According to court documents, Saquinga-Topanta was previously apprehended for driving while intoxicated in June 2023. The defendant was arrested twice on warrants in December 2023 and January 2024 for the DUI case. Saquinga-Topanta was questioned about his residence following his arrest. Law enforcement went to the purported address but discovered that the defendant no longer lived there. During a period from January to May of 2024, the defendant failed to register his change of address with the Attorney General. In addition, he was not approved by the Attorney General or the Security of Homeland Security to re-apply and remain in the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melinda A. Williams prosecuted the case.