Duane A. Evans, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana
A Mexican national, Joel Becerra-Cesario, has pleaded guilty to charges of illegal reentry after deportation. Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced the plea on February 18, 2025. Becerra-Cesario, aged 38 and a native of Mexico, admitted to violating Title 8, United States Code, Sections 1326(a) and 1326(b)(2).
Court documents reveal that Becerra-Cesario was discovered in Kenner, Louisiana on October 20, 2023. He had been previously deported to Mexico on May 15, 2014. His past felony drug conviction in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Kansas involved possession with intent to distribute cocaine and resulted in a sentence of 135 months.
Becerra-Cesario's sentencing is set for May 27, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey. He faces a potential maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine reaching $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations for their role in investigating this case. The prosecution is managed by Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis from the General Crimes Unit.
