The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that a Mexican national, Jose Miguel Molina-Echavarria, age 40, residing in Hagerstown, Maryland, has been indicted on charges of illegal reentry into the United States. The indictment was issued by a federal grand jury on May 28, 2025.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that the indictment claims Molina-Echavarria was found in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, on May 18, 2025. This was after he had been removed from the U.S. in July 2024 at or near Brownsville, Texas. The indictment alleges that he reentered without obtaining prior permission.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is handling the prosecution.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aiming to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations. It involves efforts from the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
If convicted, Molina-Echavarria faces a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge considering federal statutes and guidelines.
It is important to note that indictments are allegations only; individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
