The garbage truck driver in a July 2008 fatal collision with a bicyclist in Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 31 months in prison for illegally re-entering the United States after being removed because he was convicted of an aggravated felony.

Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Enrique M. Lucero, field office director who oversees ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge T.S. Ellis III.

“There ought to be a cost to coming into the country illegally,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “For some individuals, deportation alone isn’t the answer. They’ll just return. That’s why in these aggravated cases we need to have a credible re-entry deterrent, and that means a significant time in prison.”

“Sentences like this one are a reminder that there are significant consequences for violating immigration law,” said Director Lucero. “Illegal aliens who knowingly break the law by re-entering the United States will face criminal prosecution for such blatant disregard of our nation’s immigration laws.”

Marco Rosendo Flores-Fuentes, 48, of Mexico, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison. Flores-Fuentes pled guilty to the illegal re-entry charge on Oct. 28, 2010.

In his plea, Flores-Fuentes admitted that he is a native and citizen of Mexico with no lawful status in the United States. In July 1992, Flores-Fuentes pled guilty to marijuana importing and distribution charges. After serving a 27-month sentence for those crimes, both aggravated felonies, he was removed from the United States in April 1994. Flores-Fuentes further admitted in his plea that he illegally reentered the United States approximately three or four years later.

According to court documents, Flores-Fuentes later obtained various licenses, including a commercial driver’s license, from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and each of those licenses bore a fictitious date of birth. In addition, Flores-Fuentes utilized fraudulent immigration documents to obtain employment with KMG Hauling, Inc, a Virginia-based garbage collection company. In July 2008, while driving a garbage truck for KMG in Washington, D.C., Flores-Fuentes was involved in a fatal collision with a 22-year-old female bicyclist. Flores-Fuentes was not criminally charged for his role in the collision. According to documents from a civil lawsuit regarding that collision, the defendant later lied in a June 2009 deposition about his criminal history and immigration status. The parties later settled that civil lawsuit out of court subject to a non-disclosure agreement. On July 22, 2010, after confirming his illegal status in the United States, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers administratively arrested Flores-Fuentes outside KMG’s office in Sterling, Va.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan S. Faulconer and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Rossi of the Eastern District of Virginia.

Name of Product: 2011 Model Year Anthem Giant Bicycles

Units: About 370

Importer: Giant Bicycle Inc., of Newbury Park, Calif.

Manufacturer: Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd., of Taiwan

Hazard: The frame can crack at the junction of the seat post and top tube, posing a fall hazard to riders.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves 2011 model year Giant Anthem X 29er 1, 2 and 3 model bicycles. The bicycles were sold in small, medium and large. “Giant” and the model name are printed on the bicycle.

Sold by: Authorized Giant Bicycle dealers nationwide during August 2010 for between $2,200 and $3,500.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding the recalled bicycles and contact any authorized Giant Bicycle dealer for a free inspection and repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Giant Bicycle toll-free at (866) 458-2555 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.giant-bicycles.com

Name of Product: Bicycles with 2010 EC90 Zero seat posts

Units: About 200

Importer: Easton Sports, of Scotts Valley, Calif.

Hazard: The carbon top clamp of the seat post can crack, posing a fall hazard to the user.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves bicycles with 2010 EC90 Zero seat posts. The EC90 Zero seat posts are black with red and gray graphics. “EC90″ is printed on the post.

Sold at: Turner Suspension Bicycles, Ibis Cycles and Security Bicycle Accessories retailers nationwide from April 2010 through August 2010 for between $150 and $200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding the bicycles and contact any authorized Easton Sports for a free replacement top seat clamp.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Easton Sports toll-free at (866) 892-6059 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.eastonbike.com

Name of Product: Revl carbon bicycle brakes

Units: About 500

Importer: Perigeum Development Inc., dba The Hive, of Petaluma, Calif.

Hazard: The cable clamping area of the bicycle brakes can crack over time, causing the brakes to fail. This could pose a fall or crash hazard to the cyclist.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves black Revl carbon road bicycle brakes with date codes 41B, 44B, 45B, 53B, 13C and 16C printed on the underside of the carbon brake arms. “Revl” is printed on the brake.

Sold at: Bicycle specialty stores nationwide from September 2009 through August 2010 for about $390 per set.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using their bicycles with these recalled brakes and contact The Hive for replacement parts and instruction to repair their brakes or contact their retailer to perform the repair free of charge.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact The Hive at (800) 801-9936 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday