A Mexican citizen, Jorge Alfredo Martinez Sanchez, 50, pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry of a removed alien in federal court in Buffalo, New York. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the plea and sentencing on Tuesday.
Martinez Sanchez was previously removed from the United States in October 2017. On July 27, 2025, he was found by United States Border Patrol agents in Erie County, New York. At the time of his encounter with law enforcement, he did not possess any documentation allowing him to be legally present in the country.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith prosecuted the case. "In October 2017, Martinez Sanchez was physically removed from the United States. On July 27, 2025, he was found in Erie County, NY. Martinez Sanchez was encountered by United States Border Patrol and did not have with him any documents allowing him to be legally present in the United States," Smith said.
After pleading guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, Martinez Sanchez was sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further action.
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration and targeting criminal organizations involved in transnational crime.
U.S. Border Patrol led the investigation under Patrol Agent-in-Charge David Banks.
