Plea Deal Could Save Man From Deportation

A former gang member facing possible deportation was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor Thursday and apparently will be permitted to stay in this country.

Tony Alvarado, 28, an illegal immigrant who was convicted in 1990 of illegal possession of PCP for sale, has been deported twice, returning both times.

But Alvarado says his gang affiliations are a thing of the past. He has a letter from Rep. Howard Berman (D-Panorama City) praising his efforts to shield children from gangs and drugs. He was honored by Los Angeles police for helping them subdue a suspect. His pastor praises his Bible classes.

Alvarado said he was innocent of the drug charges. His attorney, David A. Katz, said Alvarado’s co-defendant in the PCP case has insisted all along that the drugs were his and that Alvarado knew nothing about them.

Alvarado, who faced felony immigration charges, was allowed by U.S. District Judge George King to plead guilty Thursday to improper entry into the United States, a Class B misdemeanor that is not a deportable offense.

Katz said that when Alvarado returns to court on Sept. 11, he will face a maximum sentence of six months in jail.

Because he already has served nine months in federal detention and has been set free, Alvarado probably will serve no additional time, his lawyer said.