A Mexican citizen, Juan Mendez-Morales, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to the charge of illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed.
Court documents state that on October 22, 2025, Mendez-Morales, age 43, was stopped by police for speeding. A United States Border Patrol Agent responded to the stop and Mendez-Morales admitted he was a Mexican national without immigration documents authorizing his presence in the country. Records show he had been removed from the United States in October 2013 following an order from an immigration judge.
Mendez-Morales could face up to two years in prison and a fine as high as $250,000. Sentencing will take place after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigative report. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge who will consider federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol.
According to the press release: "Operation Take Back America: This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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."
