The Department of Justice recently indicted Honduran national Osman Jose Urbina-Centeno on the charge of illegal re-entry after deportation, a violation under Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), with Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson leading the announcement of the legal action, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana. Urbina-Centeno, who faces a maximum penalty that includes two years in prison and a $250,000 fine along with supervised release and special assessment fees, was allegedly found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on May 12 after having been deported back to Honduras in September 2010.
While an indictment must not be confused with a conviction, and guilt must be established "beyond a reasonable doubt," the case of Urbina-Centeno is a part of the larger Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative to combat illegal immigration and dismantle the operations of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, this effort, which garners resources from various Department of Justice sectors specifically targets violent crime while also intending to safeguard communities, according to the official statement on the Justice Department's website.
The Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis from the General Crimes Unit is tasked with the prosecution of this case, and the work of U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been commended by Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson in the investigation culminating in these charges.
"An indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt," Simpson stated, emphasizing the legal principle that underscores the American justice system and reflecting the intrinsic promise of due process, even as Operation Take Back America pushes forward in its mission said Simpson—an effort described by authorities as essential for maintaining the integrity of the nation's borders and community safety.
