A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted Julian Alberto Rios-Andasol, a 31-year-old citizen of Honduras, for illegal re-entry into the United States. Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the indictment, stating that Rios-Andasol was discovered in western Pennsylvania on August 17, 2024, after being removed from the country on May 30, 2019.
The charges carry a potential sentence of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. However, the actual sentence will depend on the severity of the offense and the defendant's prior criminal record.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is handling the prosecution. The investigation that led to the indictment was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, administered by the Pennsylvania Homeland Security Task Force. This operation, established under President Trump's Executive Order 14159, aims to protect against illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations. It is a joint initiative led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, coordinating efforts from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The legal principle of presumption of innocence applies, and Rios-Andasol remains innocent unless proven guilty.
