KEENE, NH – A Mexican national who spent counterfeit currency at various Keene businesses was sentenced in federal court Tuesday for his illegal reentry into the United States after twice being deported.

According to a news release from US Attorney Jane E. Young’s office, Luis Aragon-Lara, 40, plead guilty in August to one count of illegal reentry and was sentenced Tuesday to 24 months in prison and one year of supervised release.

In October of 2022 Aragon-Lara was arrested by Keene Police in connection with the passing of counterfeit currency at retail stores in the area. A subsequent investigation revealed he was illegally in the US after being deported in June of 2009, and April of 2020.

“The defendant was using counterfeit United States currency, which impacts our local businesses and economy. Even worse, he conducted this criminal behavior after having been removed from this country repeatedly,” Young said. “Today’s sentence sends a deterrent message that this office will vigorously prosecute individuals that are in the United States illegally and committing crimes in New Hampshire.”

Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director with ICE, Boston, applauded Young for prosecuting this case, citing great teamwork of law enforcement partners at the U.S. Attorney’s office for New Hampshire and the Keene Police Department.

“Those who seek to exploit our immigration law and engage in fraudulent financial crimes will not be allowed to use our immigration system to victimize the residents of New Hampshire,” Lyons said. “We applaud the commitment of the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire in prosecuting this case. Together with the great teamwork of our law enforcement partners at the Office of the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire and the Keene Police Department we remain committed to protecting communities in New Hampshire from criminal immigration violators.”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement led the investigation with assistance provided by the Keene Police Department.