A federal grand jury has indicted Juan Valencia-Diaz, a 51-year-old Mexican national living in York County, Pennsylvania, on charges of illegal reentry after removal. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced the indictment, stating that Valencia-Diaz had previously been removed from the country in 2017 and was found again in the United States on or about July 19, 2025. Authorities allege he did not have legal permission to return.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus explained that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Consiglio is prosecuting.
The announcement also highlighted "Take Back America," a Department of Justice initiative focused on combating illegal immigration and transnational crime by coordinating resources from programs such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). More information about this initiative can be found at https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline.
If convicted, Valencia-Diaz faces up to two years in prison, supervised release after imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing would be determined by a judge based on federal statutes and sentencing guidelines.
Authorities emphasized that indictments are only allegations and all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
