Man arrested in MP immigration raid sentenced to prison for unlawful re-entry to U.S.

A former Mt. Pleasant man who was arrested during an immigration raid last year was sentenced to prison for unlawful re-entry and will soon be released to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Ricardo Saucedo, 29, was sentenced to prison on March 21, for the amount of time he had already served, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. Saucedo pleaded guilty on Nov. 8, 2018.

Saucedo was arrested from his place of employment at MPC Enterprises in Mt. Pleasant on May 9, 2018. After Saucedo was questioned by ICE agents, it was found that he was not authorized to enter, live or work in the U.S. Furthermore, it was found that Saucedo had previously been removed from the U.S. on Jan. 23, 2008, after entering illegally. He had not applied for or received permission to re-enter the U.S. after his deportation in 2008.

This matter was investigated by ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Iowa.

The U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Iowa has not yet returned a request for comment. It is unknown when or if Saucedo will be deported after being released into the custody of ICE.

Pending Saucedo's sentencing, Mt. Pleasant residents wrote to the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Iowa to vouch for his character.

Former Rep. Dave Heaton wrote that Saucedo was a 'good citizen” of Mt. Pleasant, and asked the court to 'look favorably” upon him so he could return to Mt. Pleasant where he is a respected resident and to his family who loves and depends on him.

'He has been a steady worker and provider for his family: his wife and two daughters,” Heaton said. 'Ricardo and (his wife's) dreams are to make sure their children are healthy and well cared for and they are brought up in a place of trust, safety, acceptance and opportunity.”

Amanda Clark, English language learner (ELL) teacher at Van Allen Elementary School, wrote on behalf of Saucedo's daughter, whom she teaches.

Clark said that after her father was arrested, she saw a big change in his daughter, who was previously a 'happy and outgoing” second-grader.

'Not having her dad has affected (her) in so many ways, not just her personality, but in her academics as well,” Clark wrote. '(She) is so worried about her dad that she is having a hard time focusing on her school work and it will get worse the longer her dad is not with her and her family.”

Van Allen Principal Don LeBlanc also wrote on behalf of Saucedo's daughters and said that Saucedo was an 'active member” of the school community and attended many school events and all parent-teacher conferences.

'At times (he) will bring his daughter to and from school. My dream is that we would have many fathers like Mr. Saucedo,” LeBlanc wrote. 'I understand the legal guidelines which are being pursued, but also I would like to reiterate that Saucedo family is actively engaged in our school community and are very supportive.”