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Former Mexican Governor Deported to Mexico After Serving US Prison Sentence
A one-time governor and one-time presidential hopeful in Mexico, who had been incarcerated in a US federal penitentiary for money laundering, was expelled from the United States this week by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Deportation of Tomas Jesus Yarrington Ruvalcaba
Tomas Jesus Yarrington Ruvalcaba, aged 68, was deported by ICE on Wednesday and handed over to Mexican law enforcement authorities who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, the agency stated on Friday. This action marks the conclusion of his sentence in the United States and the commencement of legal proceedings against him in Mexico.
Background and Political Career
Yarrington held the office of governor of Tamaulipas, Mexico, from 1999 to 2005. In 2005, he also entered the presidential race representing Mexico’s Institutional Revolutionary Party. His political career took a downturn following allegations of corruption and illicit activities.
Imprisonment and Money Laundering Conviction
Prior to being transferred to ICE custody last summer, Yarrington was serving a 108-month prison term at the Federal Correctional Institution Thomson in Illinois. This sentence followed his guilty plea in 2021 to conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stemmed from illicit funds obtained during his tenure as governor.
Legal Proceedings and Removal Order
Yarrington’s transfer from the Illinois correctional facility was to facilitate further immigration hearings. On February 27, an immigration judge with the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review formally ordered his deportation. The ex-politician subsequently waived his right to appeal this decision, paving the way for his removal.
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Transfer to Mexican Custody at San Ysidro
Mexican authorities were awaiting Yarrington’s arrival at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California. Upon arrival, they took him into custody to face charges in Mexico, encompassing organized crime and financial transactions involving resources acquired illegally. The deportation process was carried out smoothly with cooperation between US and Mexican agencies.
Details of Corruption and Bribery Scheme
Court records revealed that Yarrington engaged in corrupt practices, accepting bribes from private individuals and companies within Mexico throughout his governorship of Tamaulipas. These illicit payments were made in exchange for granting these entities preferential treatment in state business dealings.
Use of Illicit Funds and Asset Concealment
Yarrington utilized the proceeds from these bribes to procure real estate holdings within the United States. In attempts to obscure his involvement and ownership, he employed nominee purchasers. This intricate scheme was designed to shield his ill-gotten gains from detection by authorities.
Luxury Assets Acquired Through Laundered Funds
According to ICE, “Yarrington laundered his illegally obtained bribe money within the United States. This was achieved through the purchase of various high-value assets including beachfront condominiums, expansive estates, commercial property developments, private aircraft, and luxury vehicles.” This sophisticated money laundering operation spanned several years and involved multiple transactions.
Capture and Extradition Process
Yarrington was apprehended while traveling within Italy in April 2017. At the time of his capture, he was using a false identity and possessing a fraudulent passport. His apprehension in Italy was based on a provisional arrest warrant that followed a May 2013 indictment. The indictment included a range of charges related to money laundering and drug trafficking offenses.
Following his arrest in Italy, authorities there approved his extradition to the United States. Yarrington contested this extradition, but ultimately arrived in the US in April 2018 to face the charges against him.