Federal authorities in the Southern District of Texas have charged 356 individuals with immigration and related offenses between August 22 and August 28, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Of those charged, 180 face allegations of illegally reentering the United States after removal, many with prior felony convictions for crimes such as narcotics violations, violent acts, sexual offenses, and previous immigration crimes. Another 153 are accused of illegal entry into the country. Thirteen defendants face human smuggling charges, while ten others are charged with various offenses including firearms violations and assaulting federal officers.
A portion of these new cases stem from “Operation Pick-Off,” an initiative targeting individuals who are residing illegally in the United States while on probation for state-level crimes like drug offenses, human smuggling, fraud, burglary, and assault. Announced on August 25, this operation resulted in federal charges against 67 undocumented immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley area; according to authorities, 65 had previously been removed from the country before returning and committing additional crimes.
“For those that want to come to this country without permission and then victimize American citizens once here, we are more than happy to accommodate them with a stay at a federal facility, followed by a one-way ticket home,” said Ganjei. “SDTX will not rest until we’ve brought Operation Pick-Off to each and every one of the Southern District’s 43 counties. If you’re here illegally and you commit crimes in our community, you can expect a visit from us, and that visit is going to come sooner rather than later. This is what Operation Take Back America looks like.”
Among this week’s cases are two Mexican nationals who were removed in May but allegedly returned soon after; they were identified as Jairo Neftali Velasco-Gomez—previously convicted for being an alien in possession of a firearm—and Luis Alberto Mejia-Bertrand—previously sentenced for transporting or harboring illegal aliens.
Authorities also filed charges against three other Mexican nationals found near Edinburg: Edgar Omar Gallegos-Aboytes and Monico Espinoza-Martinez had prior sentences for illegal reentry crimes; Julio Cesar Martinez-Arjona was previously convicted of assaulting a family member.
Additionally, Honduran national Jose Alberto Medina-Atunez was located near Escobares after reportedly having been removed following a conviction for cocaine possession. Other Mexican nationals charged with illegal reentry include Angel Alejandro Salazar-Cantu (with past convictions related to transporting/harboring illegal aliens), Alberto Karr-Magana (firearms offenses), and Ramon Pena-Medina (drug offenses). Each faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
The enforcement actions were carried out with support from multiple agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with state and local law enforcement partners.
These prosecutions fall under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice effort designed to address illegal immigration issues by focusing resources on dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
According to officials from the district—which covers over nine million people across 43 counties—the current leadership has made public safety and border security top priorities. Enhanced enforcement efforts have led to arrests involving individuals engaged in unlawful activity or possessing serious criminal histories including human trafficking or violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas is among the busiest offices nationally due to its large jurisdiction covering approximately 44,000 square miles across seven divisions: Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo. Assistant U.S. Attorneys work closely with law enforcement at all levels on these prosecutions.
Officials noted that indictments or criminal complaints represent formal accusations only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due process.
