Felipe David Cruz-Romero, age 38 of El Salvador, is our Minnesota Man of the Day for November 24. He is due in federal court in downtown Minneapolis this morning for a combined plea hearing and sentencing in his illegal immigration case.
He was indicted back in August on one felony count of illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. He was deported back in September 2013.
Cruz, billed out of Richfield, was pulled over in Edina in early August and cited for driving on a revoked license. At the time of the traffic stop, he was the subject of an active arrest warrant and booked into the Hennepin County jail.
The warrant dates back to a 2023 drunk driving case. Christmas Week 2023, Cruz was pulled over on Highway 100 by a state trooper in St. Louis Park. Cruz was driving at night without headlights. He blew a 0.10 (Fireball Whiskey, flavor not specified).
That case was pled down to misdemeanor careless driving, with the drunk driving count and a weapons charge (brass knuckles) dismissed. As always, the plea deal includes a notification that it could result in his deportation. Notice the hand-written check mark.
In that case, three alleged probation violations followed, along with a skipped court hearing. A $128 court fine remains unpaid. Cruz requires the assistance of a taxpayer-paid Spanish-language interpreter at all court appearances.
Cruz is currently being held in ICE custody. He plans to seek asylum in the United States to prevent his return to El Salvador. Prosecutors are asking for an additional 60 days in jail on the illegal immigration charge.
Also due in court this afternoon is Allan Fernando Flores-Lemus, who took Minnesota Man of the Day honors on November 13.
Flores is due to be formally arraigned on illegal immigration and producing child porn charges. ‘Nuff said. Flores also requires a taxpayer-paid Spanish-language interpreter.
¡Hasta luego!
