In a recent development from Louisiana, a Mexican national has admitted to unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Jorge Luis Ruelas-Guerra, aged 47, entered a guilty plea on July 10, facing federal charges of illegal re-entry of a removed alien under Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). His sentencing, overseen by U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe, is on the calendar for October 23, 2025.
The case against Ruelas-Guerra, who had been previously deported in 2011, picked up steam after a May 17, 2024 traffic stop conducted by the Houma Police Department; he failed to halt at a stop sign, during which he showed a Mexican passport and disclosed having no driver's license, despite this, the body cam footage from the HPD officer unmistakably identified Ruelas-Guerra as the one behind the wheel.
Details provided during the May 2024 traffic encounter allowed authorities to cross-reference Ruelas-Guerra's information with Department of Homeland Security systems, confirming his identity and linking him to prior removals and arrests, as the U.S. Attorney's Office revealed. It was also confirmed that Ruelas-Guerra had not filed any immigration petitions or applications with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services subsequent to his previous deportation.
As things stand, if convicted, Ruelas-Guerra could be looking at up to two years of imprisonment, as well as a fine that may reach $250,000 not to mention the possibility of a supervised release term of one year, and there’s a mandatory $100 special assessment fee on the table According to Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson, the case was brought to a successful point of resolution thanks to efforts by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Houma Police Department. The prosecution in this case is being managed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit.
