A Mexican national with a record of seven felony convictions has been sentenced in Houston for illegally reentering the United States after a previous removal. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that Manuel Albert Aragon-Hernandez, 39, pleaded guilty on July 1 to unlawful reentry following a felony theft conviction.
U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison ordered Aragon-Hernandez to serve 44 months in federal prison. After completing his sentence, he is expected to face removal proceedings again, as he is not a U.S. citizen.
During sentencing, the court reviewed evidence that after unlawfully returning to the United States, Aragon-Hernandez fired a weapon while intoxicated and was found in possession of narcotics. The court also noted that he had been held on narcotics charges since 2023.
“If you illegally reenter the United States after being removed or deported, you are going be imprisoned and then sent home again,” said Ganjei. “Save yourself the trouble—and the prison time—by just staying home in the first place.”
Aragon-Hernandez’s criminal history includes convictions for providing false information when identified by authorities, theft from a person, three prior illegal entry offenses, and two counts of possessing controlled substances.
Records show that he was first removed from the United States on September 14, 2010, but returned illegally three times afterward. During his most recent stay in the country after illegal reentry, law enforcement stopped him for speeding and discovered methamphetamine and marijuana in his possession. Immigration authorities apprehended him on April 2.
Aragon-Hernandez will remain in custody until he is transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation involved Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations along with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Wirsing prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at using Department of Justice resources to address illegal immigration issues and disrupt criminal organizations through coordinated efforts such as those from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
