A Mexican national, Mario Alberto Almanzan-Mata, age 23, has been sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Almanzan-Mata pleaded guilty on August 28. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton handed down the sentence and noted the seriousness of Almanzan-Mata’s criminal history during the hearing. The court reviewed his prior convictions, which included evading law enforcement and domestic violence, as well as a pattern of violent behavior that posed a significant danger to the community.
According to court records, Almanzan-Mata had previously been removed from the United States on two occasions, with the most recent removal occurring on May 27. Authorities found him again in Mission, Texas on July 7 after he admitted to illegally reentering near Hidalgo earlier that day.
Following his imprisonment, Almanzan-Mata is expected to face removal proceedings since he is not a U.S. citizen. He remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.
“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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” according to information provided in connection with this prosecution.
