A significant number of new cases related to immigration and border security were filed between July 3 and July 10, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. A total of 236 cases have been brought forward during this period.
Among the accused are 106 individuals facing charges for illegal reentry into the United States. Many of these individuals have previous felony convictions, including narcotics offenses, violent crimes, and prior immigration violations. Additionally, 116 people face charges for illegal entry into the country, while six cases involve allegations of human smuggling, with the remaining cases concerning other immigration-related offenses.
Two Mexican nationals, Charlie Ruben Ortiz-Lopez and Mauricio Rivera-Medina, are among those charged. Both have previous convictions for illegal reentry. Rivera-Medina was removed from the country last month but was allegedly found again in the United States near Mission. Authorities encountered him near Edinburg after his removal in November 2023.
Honduran national Jose Eduardo Escobar-Reyes is also facing charges after law enforcement reportedly discovered him unlawfully present in the United States near Roma. He was previously removed on March 12 and has a past conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
If convicted, Ortiz-Lopez, Rivera-Medina, and Escobar-Reyes could face up to 20 years in prison.
In another case, a man from Rio Grande City was sentenced to 24 months in prison for unlawfully transporting an illegal alien. During his hearing, evidence revealed that Jason Al Venecia took his girlfriend and her minor daughter along while attempting to smuggle an illegal alien through the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint. While awaiting sentencing on bond, Al Venecia was caught assisting his girlfriend during her own attempt at smuggling illegal aliens. She has since pleaded guilty to separate charges prosecuted in McAllen Division.
These cases were supported by federal law enforcement agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol (BP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with state and local partners.
The initiative is part of Operation Take Back America aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators. The operation utilizes resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
The Southern District prioritizes public safety and secure borders under current leadership. Enhanced enforcement efforts both at the border and within district interiors have led to arrests involving unlawful activity or serious criminal histories such as human trafficking or violence against children.
The U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of America's busiest offices covering over nine million people across 43 counties spanning approximately 44 thousand square miles with Assistant U.S Attorneys working across seven divisions alongside federal state local law enforcement partners prosecuting offenders suspected of committing federal crimes.
It should be noted that an indictment or criminal complaint serves only as a formal accusation without constituting evidence; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due process under law.
