The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced the indictment of Leonardo Mendoza-Zavala, a 44-year-old Mexican citizen, on a charge of illegal reentry. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment claims that Mendoza-Zavala was found in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, on or about June 21, 2025. He had previously been removed from the United States on January 6, 2020, through Laredo, Texas and allegedly reentered without obtaining legal permission.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations along with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is handling the prosecution.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, a national initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators. The operation leverages resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted under federal law for this offense, Mendoza-Zavala faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, supervised release after imprisonment, and a fine. 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.
