U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans | U.S. Department of Justice
A Mexican national, Juan Carlos Morales-Hinojo, has been indicted for illegal reentry into the United States. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans on December 13, 2024. Morales-Hinojo, aged 39 and originally from Mexico, is accused of violating Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a) and (b)(1).
The indictment states that Morales-Hinojo reentered the U.S. on November 8, 2024, after being deported on August 15, 2019. If convicted of this offense, he could face up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Additionally, he may be subject to one year of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that an indictment is merely a charge and that guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.
Evans commended the efforts of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement Removal Operations in their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman from the General Crimes Unit will lead the prosecution.
