Three sentenced in Savannah federal court for re-entering U.S. without legal permission

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Three men have been sentenced in federal court and transferred to immigration authorities for immediate deportation after pleading guilty to entering the country without legal permission after a prior removal.

The sentences were handed down in U.S. District Court, as announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

According to federal court records, the three defendants include:

• Martin De La Torre Coronado, 35, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served followed by immediate deportation. Coronado pleaded guilty to re-entering the country illegally after a prior removal. He was identified in May 2026 during a traffic stop by Savannah Police in Chatham County and transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• Oscar Barrios-Garcia, 38, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced to time served followed by immediate deportation after pleading guilty to re-entering the country illegally. Barrios-Garcia was identified in February 2026 during an encounter with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and transferred to ICE custody.
• Juan Miguel Osorio Rojas, 40, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served followed by immediate deportation after pleading guilty to re-entering the country illegally. Rojas was identified in Glynn County in June 2026 and transferred to ICE custody.

The federal charge of illegal re-entry after removal applies to individuals who return to the United States without authorization after having been previously deported or removed.

U.S. Attorney Heap said that the defendants had been previously removed from the United States and unlawfully returned. She stated that federal authorities are working with local law enforcement partners to hold criminal defendants accountable to protect communities and ensure public safety.

The cases were investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Savannah Police Department.

The cases were prosecuted by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Makeia R. Jonese, Ryan Bondura, Matthew A. Breedon, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Olsen.