A significant development in immigration and border security enforcement was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, revealing that 209 cases were filed from May 9-15. These cases involve charges related to illegal reentry, illegal entry, and human smuggling.
The report indicates that 78 individuals are accused of illegally reentering the United States, with most having prior felony convictions for various crimes. An additional 124 people face charges of illegal entry, while seven cases involve human smuggling allegations.
Three individuals charged this week attempted to reenter the country after recent removals. Erick Nahun Orellana-Ramos from Honduras and Alejandro De La Vega-Loyola from Mexico were removed on April 21, while Luis Cibrian-Gonzalez from Mexico was removed on May 5. Despite their removal, they were allegedly found unlawfully in the U.S.
Eleno Martin Velazquez-Hernandez and Edwin Vazquez-Perez face charges of illegal reentry after being previously removed due to sexual assault convictions. Heriberto Garcia-Robles was discovered near Mission following a previous removal in January 2023 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
In addition to these new cases, two Tango Blast gang members received sentences for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Eusebio Regalado received a 66-month sentence, while Eric Grajeda had been sentenced to 36 months earlier.
“With these sentencings, two less gang members are out on the streets, and a human smuggling operation has been dismantled,” said Ganjei. “Securing the border is the Southern District’s top priority, and we’re delivering.”
Felix Raymundo Mora-Gonzalez was sentenced to 70 months for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) following his arrest for harboring illegal aliens. A forensic examination revealed he possessed CSAM content on his cell phone.
Hector Castillo-Molina faced sentencing with a lengthy criminal history including multiple felonies such as burglary and drug possession. The court noted Castillo-Molina’s record as “concerning” due to repeated offenses.
Eusebio Cavazos received a maximum sentence of 60 months for smuggling 36 illegal aliens in a tractor-trailer from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador.
Enrique Melendez-Saldivar was convicted at a bench trial in McAllen for unlawful reentry into the U.S., marking his eighth offense.
Emmanuel Padilla Reyes pleaded guilty in Houston to involvement in a wire fraud conspiracy involving over 550,000 fraudulent Texas paper license plates using stolen identities. He faces up to five years in federal prison followed by potential removal proceedings.
These efforts are part of Operation Take Back America aimed at countering illegal immigration and transnational crime under the Department of Justice's initiative involving multiple federal law enforcement agencies including ICE - Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol among others.
“Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX),” stated Ganjei regarding ongoing efforts against unlawful activities involving serious criminal history offenders across SDTX's jurisdiction covering more than nine million people across 43 counties.
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