A Mexican national has been indicted on charges of unlawful reentry into the United States after having been previously deported, as per an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs of the Eastern District of Texas. The indictment returned by a federal grand jury identifies the man as 39-year-old Jose Luis Rosales-Betancourt, a resident of Tyler, Texas.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Rosales-Betancourt, who was deported in 2008 and again in 2013, was found in the U.S. on July 8, 2025. His criminal history includes a 2006 conviction for aggravated robbery in Smith County, which resulted in a five-year prison sentence. In 2012, he also received a 30-month sentence for illegal reentry after removal.
Rosales-Betancourt's case is a part of "Operation Take Back America," a significant Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration and transnational crime. This operation aims to push back against illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and TCOs, and shield communities from violent crimes. The DOJ coordinates Operation Take Back America utilizing resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
If found guilty of the charges against him, Betancourt could face up to 20 years in federal prison, and following his sentence, he would likely face deportation once again. This latest case is under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek is handling the prosecution.
While an indictment has been made, it must be noted that it does not serve as proof of guilt. Following the principle of the U.S. legal system, Rosales-Betancourt remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
