Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced an indictment against Omar Marin-Lopez, a 41-year-old Mexican national, for illegally reentering the U.S. — a violation that could land him up to two years behind bars if convicted. According to the indictment, Marin-Lopez, who hails from Mexico, has a record of previous removals from America dating back to 2008, with additional deportations in 2012 and 2013.

The latest apprehension of Marin-Lopez occurred on November 5, 2024, in Hillsborough County, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The man was found without having obtained the necessary consent from either the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission into the United States, which landed him in hot water yet again because he re-entered the country without following the prescribed legal channels potentially leading to harsh penalties designed to serve as a deterrent for such actions.

This isn't just any routine prosecution. The charges against Marin-Lopez are part of "Operation Take Back America," a nationwide effort that brings together the full resources of the Department of Justice. The initiative aims to block illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and shield communities from violent crime.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) investigated Marin-Lopez's case, as the U.S. Attorney's office clarified that an indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Wheeler, III, is prosecuting Marin-Lopez.