A Mexican national has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after a previous conviction and deportation for an aggravated felony. Luis Javier Sanchez-Zurita, aged 38 from Oaxaca, Mexico, was discovered in Brandon, Mississippi on February 21, 2024. His presence in the country was illegal following his prior conviction for a violent crime and subsequent deportation in 2017.
Sanchez-Zurita came to law enforcement's attention when he was stopped by a Brandon Police officer due to careless driving, driving under the influence, and endangering a child. On August 22, 2024, he pled guilty to illegal reentry into the United States after being deported following a state felony conviction related to gratification of lust—a crime against children.
The announcement of the sentencing was made by U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi alongside Field Office Director Mellissa B. Harper of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New Orleans.
The investigation leading to this sentence was conducted by ICE ERO with Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda R. Haynes prosecuting the case.