U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced the indictment of six individuals for federal offenses under Operation Take Back America. The charges include illegal reentry and firearms violations, beyond the offense of being in the country illegally.
The defendants are Santo Antonio Barradas-Leon, Ruben Duran-Mercado, Deyvi Carlos Perez Morales, Jairo Ernesto Perry Santos, Eusebio Fuentes-Soto, and Raul Bello Rojas. They face various charges such as illegal reentry into the United States by aggravated felons and possession of firearms by illegal aliens.
Barradas-Leon was previously removed from the U.S. twice before his arrest on March 9, 2025. Duran-Mercado was arrested on February 8, 2025, after a prior removal in August 2024. Morales has been removed three times since July 2010 and was arrested on February 8, 2025. An arrest warrant is issued for Santos who was previously removed in August 2016.
Fuentes-Soto faces charges related to firearm possession and had been removed from the U.S. in 2018; an arrest warrant is also issued against him. Rojas is charged with drug trafficking-related offenses and remains in federal custody.
"Charges in the indictments are allegations," stated Ferguson, emphasizing that "the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
Ferguson credited several agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their role in these investigations. Local law enforcement agencies such as Union County Sheriff’s Office also played a part in apprehending the defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Charlotte's Criminal Division will prosecute these cases which form part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.
