KC Reporter

Three individuals face charges in separate federal cases for re-entering the United States illegally after previous deportations.

Erik Santana-Garcia, also known as Erik Cayetano, a 33-year-old Mexican national, is accused of transporting a 15-year-old minor across state lines with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity. Additional charges against Santana-Garcia include being an alien in possession of a firearm, illegal re-entry by a previously deported alien, and possession of child pornography. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alison D. Dunning and Stephanie Bradshaw, following investigations by Homeland Security Investigations and the Oak Grove, Missouri Police Department.

In a separate case, Guatemalan national Romeo Perez-Bravo, aged 42, was indicted on counts of illegal re-entry by an alien previously convicted of a felony. His previous charges of aggravated identity theft and misuse of a social security number are included in the current indictment. Allegations state Perez-Bravo had assumed a U.S. citizen's identity since 2009 to live and work illegally. Prior convictions include felonies in Minnesota for terroristic threats and identity theft. Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Hanson is prosecuting the case, with investigations carried out by various organizations including the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General and the St. Joseph, Missouri Police Department.

Lastly, Andres G. Angel-Martinez, a Mexican national, was identified on or around April 15, 2025, after being previously deported on November 11, 2019. This case, referred by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, is handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV.

The charges in these cases are accusations, not proof of guilt. Evidence must be presented to a federal trial jury to determine guilt or innocence.

These proceedings are part of "Operation Take Back America," an initiative using the Department of Justice's resources to combat illegal immigration, cartels, and transnational criminal organizations.