Bowling Green, Paducah federal grand juries return indictments in illegal entry cases

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Four indictments were returned by federal grand juries in Bowling Green and Paducah this week.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Kentucky, two individuals are charged with illegal reentry after deportation or removal, and one individual with the use of a false passport.

Feliz Morales-Rangel, 38, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States and was found on our about March 26, 2025. Morales-Rangel was previously deported after being located on or about March 20, 2008, and on or about May 1, 2010. Morales-Rangle is charged with reentry after deportation or removal and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

Additional Indictments:

Santiago Tehandon-Paneda, age 45, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Owensboro, Kentucky, with reentry after deportation or removal and false claim to United States citizenship. On or about May 12, 2025, Tehandon-Paneda was an alien found in United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about May 4, 2007, and August 13, 2012. On or about May 15, 2025, Tehandon-Paneda willfully represented himself to be a citizen of the United States. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 13 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO.

Francisco Campos-Guardian, age 32, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about May 8, 2025, Campos-Guardian was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about January 7, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO.

Bogdan Drapac, age 41, a citizen of Romania, was charged in Paducah with use of a false passport. On or about May 14, 2025, Drapac willfully and knowingly used and attempted to use a false, forged, and counterfeited Spanish passport; that is, he presented the passport to law enforcement during a traffic stop to conceal his identity. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO.

A federal district court judge determines sentences based on sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The four individuals will not be eligible for parole if convicted.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The cases are being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO.