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Mexican Citizen Admits to Illegally Entering U.S. in Glacier Park

Man had been deported in 2017 and tried to sneak into the U.S near Goat Haunt

By Justin Franz
Border Patrol agents launch a boat on Upper Waterton Lake before departing towards Goat Haunt on Aug. 20, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

A Mexican citizen pleaded guilty to illegally entering the United States nearly three months after he was arrested in Glacier National Park.

Luis Alejandro Lopez-Solis, 36, admitted to illegally entering the country in U.S. District Court in Great Falls on Dec. 11. Lopez-Solis faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced in February.

According to federal law enforcement officials, Lopez-Solis had been deported in 2017 after being convicted of passport fraud. In September, Lopez-Solis flew from Mexico to Canada and rented a car to drive to Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. He then walked south into the United States before being spotted by a park ranger, who notified U.S. Border Patrol. Border Patrol searched the area and found Lopez-Solis wet and shivering near Goat Haunt after apparently falling in a creek.

Lopez-Solis was apprehended and taken to the St. Mary Border Patrol Station for questioning. Lopez-Solis told law enforcement that he had planned to hike to Chief Mountain where his girlfriend was going to pick him up.

Lopez-Solis remains in custody.

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