A federal grand jury has indicted Jose Leon-Avalos, a 32-year-old Mexican national, for illegal reentry into the United States after having been convicted of an aggravated felony. The indictment was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on September 11, 2025.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that Leon-Avalos had previously been convicted in January 2015 of Aggravated Assault and Attempted Indecent Assault in Dauphin County’s Court of Common Pleas. He was removed from the United States on January 6, 2016, through Brownsville, Texas. Authorities allege that he was later found in Dauphin County on or about August 26, 2025, without legal permission to reenter.
The investigation was conducted by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen W. Dukes is prosecuting the case.
According to the announcement, "This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
If convicted under federal law for this offense, Leon-Avalos faces a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge after consideration of federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.
Authorities emphasized that indictments are only allegations and all persons charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
