Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers, in partnership with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, arrested and charged an illegal alien on Wednesday for unlawfully reentering the state after he was previously deported.
It is the first known arrest in such a case since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a package of anti-illegal immigration measures, including aliens who reenter the state illegally, during Florida's special legislative session last month.
"Today, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and @MyFWC make HISTORY as the first law enforcement agencies in Florida to arrest and criminally charge an illegal alien for unlawfully reentering the state after previously being deported," Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement Executive Director Larry Keefe said.
Larry Keefe announced Felipe Hernandez-Chavarin, 38, was detained by Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) officers for felony trespassing and was booked at the Brevard County Jail. It was determined by Brevard County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) deputies that Felipe Hernandez-Chavarin was previously deported by the U.S. Border Patrol in 2019 after entering illegally from Mexico.
He then was charged under Florida's new immigration law.
"Great job enforcing our recently enacted legislation to fight illegal immigration!" DeSantis said after the arrest.
According to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Hernandez-Chavarin was booked with a $3,000 bond and charged with two felony counts: Trespass Posted Construction Site and Illegal Reentry Adult Unauthorized Alien. He was not released.
He had a scheduled court appearance today for the illegal reentry charge. His court date for his trespassing charge is scheduled for April 8.
"Thanks to @MyFWC, @SheriffIvey, and the brave men and women of @BrevardSheriff, Florida is once again setting the standard for law and order across the country," Keefe added.
