A 53-year-old Mexican national, identified as Rafael Cortez-Gonzalez from San Luis Potosi, has been sentenced to 39 months in federal prison for illegally entering the United States for the fourth time, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Cortez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to the charge on May 1.
This ruling was delivered by U.S. District Judge David Morales, who also noted that this sentence is intended to act as a deterrent to prevent future unlawful entries. Cortez-Gonzalez’s criminal history includes three previous felony convictions. The recent arrest came after authorities found him on February 12 in Kenedy County, where he had no legal authorization to be. Since his first removal in November 2000, Cortez-Gonzalez has illegally reentered the country three more times, repeatedly trying to return despite knowing the risks and consequences.
The case was handled by Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine K. Tucker. Cortez-Gonzalez is currently being held in custody and is expected to face transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility that is yet to be determined. Following his imprisonment, Cortez-Gonzalez will likely face removal proceedings.
Furthermore, this sentencing is part of a broader initiative titled Operation Take Back America, aimed to definitively repel the encroachment of illegal immigration and dismantle the underworld empires of the cartels and transnational criminal organizations. Leveraging the full resources of the Department of Justice, the operation strives to protect communities simply by putting away the perpetrators of violent crime through a coordinated legal battle.
