A Mexican national, Joaquin Hernandez-Reyes, aged 29, has been sentenced for illegally reentering the United States, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Hernandez-Reyes pleaded guilty on January 9 and was subsequently sentenced to 72 months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Drew B. Tipton. Hernandez-Reyes, not being a U.S. citizen, is expected to undergo removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
Hernandez-Reyes has a criminal history involving felony convictions for illegal reentry, assault on a public servant, and possession of a controlled substance. After his first removal from the U.S. in 2016, he returned illegally multiple times. Authorities discovered him again near McAllen on December 10, 2024.
Hernandez-Reyes will remain in custody pending his transfer to a facility under the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Delcolle prosecuted the case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, a national initiative that mobilizes resources from the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. The operation integrates efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.