HOUSTON, TEXAS \u2014 Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Texas charged 263 people last week in a series of immigration and border related cases, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office. The charges, filed between July 24 and July 30, span allegations of unlawful entry, human smuggling, felony reentry after prior removal, and other federal offenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorities said 45 people were charged in alleged human smuggling cases, including 16 individuals who were allegedly in the country unlawfully themselves. Another 30 defendants were charged with illegal entry, a misdemeanor offense. The largest share of cases involved felony reentry: 181 people accused of returning to the United States after previously being removed. Prosecutors said many of those defendants have prior felony convictions involving narcotics, violent crime, or immigration offenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the individuals charged with felony reentry is Javier Vega\u2011Maldonado, a Mexican national who authorities say was allegedly found near Escobares after having been removed from the country in December 2021. The complaint alleges he has a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Learn more about felony reentry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a separate case, Luis Alonso Umana, a Honduran national, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for unlawfully reentering the United States for the ninth time. Prosecutors said Umana has prior convictions for illegal reentry, driving under the influence, and assault family violence. He is expected to be removed from the country again after serving his sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Federal officials said the cases were supported by multiple agencies, including ICE Homeland Security Investigations, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative described by federal officials as an effort to confront unlawful immigration, dismantle transnational criminal organizations, and address violent crime. The U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office said enhanced enforcement has led to arrests of individuals with prior convictions for offenses including human trafficking, sexual assault, and crimes against children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Southern District of Texas is one of the busiest federal jurisdictions in the country, covering 43 counties and more than 10 million residents across 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo work with federal, state, and local agencies on immigration, narcotics, violent crime, and other federal cases. The Southern District also covers Walker, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Grimes, and Madison County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All persons are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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