COLUMBUS, Ohio — A federal grand jury has indicted a Mexican national on charges of illegal reentry into the United States, drug distribution, and assaulting a federal officer, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio announced Friday.
Jose Adin Benjume-Gutierrez, 45, faces a three-count indictment stemming from a series of alleged offenses, including the assault of a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent on February 3.
According to federal prosecutors, Benjume-Gutierrez intentionally and forcibly assaulted the agent during an encounter with ICE personnel. Authorities also allege that he distributed cocaine in April and that he reentered the United States illegally after being deported in both 2011 and 2016.
Charges carry potential for decades-long sentence
If convicted, Benjume-Gutierrez could face up to 20 years in prison for the cocaine distribution and assault charges. The illegal reentry charge carries a maximum sentence of two years.
The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris, with assistance from ICE Homeland Security Investigations Detroit, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler J. Aagard is prosecuting the case.
