Prosecutors Claim Man Tried to Escape Charges by Seeking Deportation

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In a twist that seems straight out of a courtroom drama, a man from Mexico, Geovany Espinoza Norzagaray, reportedly turned himself in to federal agents in Riverside County with a seemingly strategic agenda. His actions appeared to exploit the current immigration crackdowns, aiming to create a legal standoff between governmental bodies.

According to Seamus Hughes’ coverage in Court Watch, Norzagaray was embroiled in legal troubles over methamphetamine distribution charges. Despite these serious allegations, he expressed his willingness to plead guilty, but not before taking a detour to visit his grandmother.

While in Indio, ostensibly for family reasons, Norzagaray made a bold move. Prosecutors revealed in a court motion that he attempted to surrender himself at the Indio Border Patrol Station. This action suggested a possible effort to leverage his deportation as a means to sidestep his impending drug conviction.

Norzagaray’s attorney argued that his client’s visit to the Border Patrol station was merely an inquiry about his immigration status following the resolution of his criminal case. However, prosecutors countered this claim, asserting that they had evidence indicating Norzagaray’s intent to seek deportation before facing the music on the drug charges.

“The defendant intentionally got himself arrested by the Border Patrol, showed up only with American and Mexican currency on his person, lied to Border Patrol agents and claimed he had never been arrested, and even attempted to speed up his deportation by asking to participate in an expedited removal program,” prosecutors wrote.

The scheme was revealed when Norzagaray didn’t show up to that hearing to change his plea last month.

As a result, the judge issued an arrest warrant, resulting in his transfer from immigration custody to that of the Department of Justice.

“The evidentiary record developed reveals that the defendant attempted to evade prosecution through deportation,” prosecutors said. “The defendant’s gambit failed.”