A Palatine man already serving time for a 2023 suburban shooting and attempted carjacking has now pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawfully reentering the United States after being deported in 2020. The new plea adds a federal immigration case on top of state convictions that have already extended his prison stay. Prosecutors say the added federal count could affect how long he remains in custody and whether immigration authorities again move to deport him.
Hector Daniel Gamboa-Mantalvo, 30, was indicted on one count of unlawfully entering the United States after deportation and entered his guilty plea this week in federal court, according to FOX 32 Chicago. The indictment states he was removed from the U.S. in July 2020 and was later found back in the country in 2023, when he was arrested in Palatine on suspicion of attempted hijacking. Police say the March 15, 2023, altercation included a shooting in which a victim was struck in the chest. Gamboa-Mantalvo was convicted of attempted hijacking and is serving a five-year sentence. Authorities also say he was convicted of a separate weapons offense for having a weapon while jailed pretrial and received four additional years. His next federal hearing is set for May 27, 2026, according to the outlet.
Federal reentry charge and penalties
Unlawful reentry after removal is a federal crime, and the penalties depend heavily on a defendant’s prior record. As outlined by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, a standard reentry conviction carries a relatively lower statutory maximum. That maximum can increase to 10 years, or up to 20 years, if the earlier removal followed an aggravated felony conviction. The governing statute, 8 U.S.C. § 1326, sets those criminal maximums and also allows for fines, including a potential fine up to $250,000 under the general federal felony penalty provisions.
Local enforcement context
In Chicago, unlawful reentry prosecutions have become more visible at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse as priorities at the U.S. Attorney’s Office have shifted, particularly since early 2025, according to reporting that examined filings in the Northern District of Illinois. The Chicago Sun-Times has noted an increase in such cases and reported that many of them turn on defendants’ prior criminal histories.
What’s next
Gamboa-Mantalvo’s federal plea is scheduled to be taken up in court on May 27, 2026, when judges and prosecutors are expected to spell out next steps and potential sentencing on the reentry charge. Prosecutors told local media that if he is convicted on the federal count, or once he finishes serving his state sentences, immigration authorities could again seek to deport him. FOX 32 Chicago reported the latest developments in the case.
