Deported multiple times, Mexico man sneaks back into US; gets 20 years for exploiting 2 minors

Mexican national Erik Santana-Garcia. A Mexican national who had been deported from the US multiple times before illegally reentering the country has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting two minors, the US Department of Justice said.Erik Santana-Garcia, 34, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was sentenced on July 30 to 20 years in federal prison without parole, followed by lifetime supervised release, according to the DOJ.He was convicted of interstate transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity, possession of child pornography and illegal reentry into the US following a prior deportation.ICE said Santana-Garcia had been removed from the US before illegally reentering the country and will be deported to Mexico after serving his 20-year prison sentence.The agency said the Trump administration has “zero tolerance” for child predators and people who illegally enter the US.Transported minor from UtahSantana-Garcia pleaded guilty on March 3, 2026, according to court documents. Prosecutors said he transported a minor across state lines with the intention of engaging in illegal sexual activity with the child.He left Utah with the minor ...