A Honduran national has been sentenced for illegal reentry into the United States, according to Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. Saul Enrique Padilla-Mejia, 38, pleaded guilty in a federal court and received a sentence of time served along with an order for removal from the U.S.
Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak delivered the sentence to Padilla-Mejia. Court documents revealed that Padilla-Mejia had previously been deported from the U.S. on August 13, 2019, and returned to Honduras. On February 4, 2024, he was charged by Pennsylvania State Police in Allegheny County with several traffic violations and driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content exceeding .16%. These charges are still pending.
Immigration authorities discovered Padilla-Mejia's illegal presence in the country and took him into custody on October 30, 2024. He will remain detained until his deportation is executed.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski represented the government in this case. Acting United States Attorney Rivetti praised U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations for their role in investigating and successfully prosecuting Padilla-Mejia.