Two Mexican nationals have been sentenced to over four years combined in federal prison for reentering the United States illegally after previous removals. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigation led to these convictions.
Julio Cesar Paniagua received a 37-month federal prison sentence for reentering the U.S. after removal. Herman Vazquez-Padilla was sentenced to 15 months for illegal reentry following an aggravated felony conviction.
Paniagua admitted guilt on January 13, 2025, while Vazquez-Padilla was found guilty on December 23, 2024.
Court records state that Paniagua faced a narcotics distribution conspiracy charge in 2011, leading to imprisonment and his removal from the U.S. on December 3, 2015. He attempted reentry in 2018, was convicted, incarcerated, and removed again that year. He was discovered residing in Dade City, Florida, on November 18, 2024.
Vazquez-Padilla faced a separate situation, having reentered the U.S. without permission after being removed due to an aggravated felony conviction. The felony pertained to a conspiracy charge dated September 19, 2012, involving the transport of over 100 illegal aliens. He faced removal on June 7, 2021, which was executed on November 10, 2021. After this removal, he reentered the U.S. illegally and without consent from U.S. authorities. ICE officers located him in Hillsborough County, Florida, on August 28, 2024.
The ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated these cases. They were prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wheeler, III, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karyna Valdes.
