A 36-year-old Mexican national with a history of felony convictions has been sentenced for his fifth illegal entry into the United States, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Jose De Jesus Soto-Gonzalez, who was not legally authorized to be in the country, has received a 21-month federal prison term following his guilty plea on March 5, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales handed down the sentence to Soto-Gonzalez, who has previously served approximately four years for a felony offense related to his intent to seemingly distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana. After completing his prison term in 2022, Soto-Gonzalez was deported, only to illegally return and to be removed once more in 2023. His past deportations also include instances in 2008 and 2014.
The latest apprehension occurred on December 20, 2024, near a Border Patrol checkpoint in Falfurrias. Soto-Gonzalez was found to be in the United States without authorization. Further investigation revealed his most recent illegal reentry near Laredo in July 2024, after his 2023 deportation. His repeat offenses have led to current custody as he awaits transfer to a facility determined by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The Border Patrol's investigation brought another chapter to Soto-Gonzalez's ongoing saga with U.S. immigration law. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted the case, emphasizing the defendant's continued disregard for the legal process regarding entry into the country. Soto-Gonzalez is expected to once again face removal proceedings after completing his prison sentence.
