U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest of Alejandro Mendez Flores, a 38-year-old Mexican citizen, on charges of illegal re-entry into the United States. This charge carries a potential penalty of up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy, who is managing the case, explained that Flores was apprehended by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers on April 30, 2025, at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. He was driving a vehicle registered in Kentucky and accidentally drove onto the bridge toward Canada where he was denied entry. Upon his return to U.S. soil, CBP officers detained him. A background check revealed that Flores had been previously arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Texas in July 2019 for illegal entry into the country and had been subsequently deported.
This incident is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations to protect communities from violent crime.
Flores appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr., where he was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
The investigation leading to this complaint was conducted by Customs and Border Protection under the leadership of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
It is important to note that while charges have been filed against Flores, these are merely accusations at this stage; he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.