U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest of two Mexican citizens, Israel De La Cruz San Juan, 29, and Candido De La Cruz San Juan, 34, on charges of illegal re-entry into the United States. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas explained that the arrests followed an incident on April 27, 2025. Buffalo Border Patrol Station agents conducting surveillance in Tonawanda, NY noticed a work truck with expired registration from September 2024. A traffic stop revealed that all three occupants of the vehicle were unlawfully present in the country. Both Israel and Candido De La Cruz San Juan were subsequently detained.
Israel De La Cruz San Juan had previously been removed from the United States in November 2017. Candido De La Cruz San Juan was deported twice before, once in May 2012 and again in July 2013.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).
Both defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder Jr., where they were detained pending further proceedings.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Border Patrol under the leadership of Patrol Agent in Charge Juan Ramirez.
It is important to note that being charged with a crime is not evidence of guilt; both defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.