Illegal immigrant facing charges deported (AP c/o KOLD-AZ)

Illegal immigrant facing charges deported

Associated Press - September 27, 2008 3:24 AM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - An illegal immigrant facing burglary charges in Arizona has been mistakenly deported to Mexico.

Luis Garcia-Villegas accepted a voluntary return to Mexico on September 17th.

Suspects facing criminal charges normally don't get the option of a voluntary return.

But a U.S. Customs and Immigration official says officials at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office weren't aware of the charges.

A spokesman for the sheriff's office says no procedures were violated.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office is investigating why Garcia was deported and is working to bring him back into custody.

Police arrested Garcia and two others on September 15th on suspicion of burglarizing the La Bodega furniture store in south Phoenix.