Guatemalan National Sentenced for Felony Reentry of Removed Alien For Immigration Offense

HAMMOND - Fredy Jiguan-Temaj, 23 years old, of Guatemala, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.

Judge Philip P. Simon sentenced the Defendant to time served, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term would go into effect should the Defendant remain in, or return to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.

"An illegal alien from the Republic of Guatemala who had been previously removed from the United States in 2022 was arrested on March 17, 2026, after causing a disturbance while operating a pickup truck in the parking lot of a Merrillville hotel. The defendant, who appeared to be heavily intoxicated at the time, then fled from the Merrillville Police officers responding to the scene, causing property damage to another vehicle. The Defendant was previously removed from the United States in 2022 and had reentered the country without inspection or approval. The Defendant again violated our nation's borders, sovereignty and laws and was caught because he was endangering our community and then fled from officers. Thanks to the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Merrillville Police Department and Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater, the Defendant has been prosecuted and sentenced. The Defendant needs to respect our nation's laws and not return illegally," said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.