The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that Rocael Lopez-Lopez, a 32-year-old Guatemalan national residing in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 18, 2025. The charge is one count of illegal reentry into the United States.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that the indictment claims Lopez-Lopez was previously removed from the U.S. on December 21, 2012, through Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona. The indictment further alleges that Lopez-Lopez was found in Franklin County, Pennsylvania on April 28, 2025, without legal permission to reenter.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration and eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The operation combines resources from the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is handling the prosecution.
If convicted under federal law for this offense, Lopez-Lopez faces a maximum penalty of up to two years imprisonment, along with a fine and supervised release term. Sentencing would be determined by a judge based on federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.
It is important to note that indictments are merely allegations; all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.