Federal judge sentences man to 7 months in immigration fraud case in New Bern

NEW BERN, NC (WWAY) — A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to federal prison for immigration fraud following a prior state conviction in a child sexual assault case, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Juarez Sanchez-Montiel, a native of Mexico, was sentenced by a federal judge to seven months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty on March 16, 2026, to making false statements on an immigration application.

Immigration Fraud Charge

Federal prosecutors said Sanchez-Montiel knowingly made false statements under penalty of perjury when applying for a U visa in November 2021. Officials said he denied prior criminal conduct that would have disqualified him from receiving immigration benefits.

Authorities said his application was approved before immigration officials were aware of his full criminal history.

Prior State Conviction

Court records in Montgomery County show Sanchez-Montiel was indicted in December 2023 on multiple charges related to sexual offenses involving minors.

In August 2024, a jury convicted him of statutory rape of a child 15 years of age or younger, statutory sex offense with a child, and related charges. He was sentenced to 18 to 26 years in state prison and required to register as a sex offender.

Federal Sentencing and Removal

Following completion of his federal sentence, Sanchez-Montiel will be transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody for removal from the United States.

Federal authorities said the case was investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations as part of an initiative targeting individuals who allegedly obtained immigration benefits through fraud while having serious prior convictions.

U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan imposed the sentence.