SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man convicted in the rape of a child under the age 14 is back in a Kansas jail facing immigration charges.

According to the Kansas Department of Corrections Simon Rochel-Cervantes, 46, a citizen of Mexico, spent seven years in the Ellsworth Correctional Facility for rape and aggravated intimidation of a witness.

He was released on Feb. 19 and transferred to federal custody, according to U.S. Attorney spokesman James Cross. He had previously been removed from the country in February 2000 at Laredo, Texas.

Rochel-Cervantes is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. 

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI investigated.

CORRECTED, March 28: To clarify the original deportation occurred in 2000.