Gang Member Charged With Manslaughter Illegally Reentered US: DOJ

A Honduran man was charged in federal court today with illegally reentering the United States after being deported, the US Attorney's office says.

Gerson Eli Turcios Maradiaga, 28, of Levittown, was charged with illegal reentry into the United States. He was arrested on Thursday and appeared in court in Central Islip today. He was deported in 2012 following two years in jail for manslaughter after a shooting outside of a bar in Westbury in 2008.

“As alleged, Turcios illegally returned to the United States after his deportation for a homicide conviction,” stated United States Attorney Richard Donoghue. “This office will prosecute felons who reenter the United States. The message to deported felons is clear – if you are deported from the United States, stay out or the only thing you will be returning to is prison.”

According to prosecutors, Turcios was departed from the US in November 2012, after he served two years in jail. He was charged with manslaughter for the Feb. 17, 2008 shooting outside of Don Juan's La Boom Club in Westbury, which killed on person and wounded several others. At the time of the shooting, authorities say that Turcios was a member of the 18th Street Gang.

If convicted of illegally reentering the country, Turcios could face up to 20 years in prison.

“This case is one of a convicted criminal who re-entered the country illegally, only to be right back in our New York neighborhoods," said Thomas Decker, the field officer director for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). "ERO officers will continue to seek out those criminals aliens who enter the country with no regard for the laws of this nation, protecting the public with steadfastness and professionalism.”