Convicted felon faces 42 months for re-entering U.S. illegally

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A convicted sex offender was recently sentenced in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas for illegally re-entering the United States, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A U.S. District Judge sentenced 55-year-old Porfirio Martinez-Santos, a citizen of Mexico, to 42 months in confinement on April 25 after being found guilty of re-entry.

Border Patrol agents from the McAllen Border Patrol Station apprehended him as he attempted to illegally enter the U.S. near Sullivan City on October 4, 2024.

In December 2015, Martinez-Santos was previously convicted in McAllen for indecency with a child – sexual contact, a 2nd degree felony.

He was sentenced to three years in state prison and was required to register as a sex offender.

"This sentencing sends a strong message; those who commit heinous crimes will be held accountable," said U.S. Border Patrol RGV Sector Chief Gloria I. Chavez. "The safety and security of our nation is our highest priority. We remain committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure justice is served and perpetrators of such offenses are swiftly brought to justice."