The United States Attorney's Office has indicted Samuel Ortiz-Ordonez, a 24-year-old Guatemalan national, for illegal reentry into the U.S. after a prior deportation, facing potentially up to two years in prison. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Ortiz-Ordonez was deported back to Guatemala on June 15, 2023, and had not sought lawful reentry through the proper channels before being found in Jacksonville on March 13.
Ortiz-Ordonez's presence came to light after ICE officers encountered him, leading to him abandoning a vehicle and attempting to flee on foot. Despite his efforts, he was soon apprehended following a brief chase. The investigation has been led by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations, with Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown handling the prosecution. It is important to note that an indictment does not imply guilt; it merely presents charges that must be proven in a court of law.
This indictment falls under the larger umbrella of Operation Take Back America, a Justice Department initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and criminal organizations. The operation combines resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood to safeguard communities against violent crime.
