Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Texas have charged more than 318 individuals with immigration and related crimes between November 28 and December 4, including 84 for illegal entry and 204 for felony reentry after removal. Many of those charged had prior convictions for narcotics or violent offenses, while others faced accusations of human smuggling, firearms violations, and other immigration-related crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Some individuals, including Jesus Hernandez-Gomez, Jose Martinez-Arrevalo, and Ascencion Avellaneda-Rodriguez, allegedly attempted to reenter the U.S. within months of prior removals despite prior felony convictions. Other previously convicted felons, such as Diana Aurora Bueno-Zuniga and Julio Guerra-Silva, were also captured for illegal reentry in McAllen, with records including harboring aliens for profit and large-scale marijuana distribution, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Federal convictions can carry up to 20 years in prison. Carlos Alberto Garcia-Guajardo was found guilty on 12 counts related to cocaine and firearms and faces a potential life sentence after being removed from the U.S. twice. Alejandro Ramirez-Carranza was sentenced to five years for transporting and smuggling aliens, and Mario Alberto Almanzan-Mata received 72 months for a third illegal reentry. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, which covers 43 counties and more than nine million residents. The initiative has resulted in arrests of individuals linked to human trafficking, sexual assault, and violence against children.
