Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Marcelo Ordonez-Rivas, a 46-year-old native of Honduras, has been indicted for re-entry of a removed alien. The indictment was filed on July 10, 2025, following Ordonez-Rivas's discovery in Jefferson Parish on June 18, 2025.
Court documents reveal that Ordonez-Rivas had previously been convicted in 2016 for violating U.S.C. § 1326 related to illegal re-entry and was subsequently deported to Honduras around June 10, 2016.
If found guilty of the current charges, Ordonez-Rivas could face up to ten years in prison, a fine reaching $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Simpson emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and the defendant's guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America. This initiative aims to combat illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations. It leverages resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Simpson commended the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in this investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Frederick W. Veters Jr., from the General Crimes Unit, is handling the prosecution.
