A Mexican national, Eduardo Heriberto Mendoza-Almanza, 41, was sentenced in Missoula to time served—200 days in custody—and one year of supervised release for illegally reentering the United States. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Mendoza-Almanza pleaded guilty to a single count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over the case.
According to court documents, Mendoza-Almanza was arrested on April 6, 2025, in Belgrade, Montana. An officer stopped him for driving without a license plate light after dark and identified him using his Mexico driver’s license. Authorities found that his driving privileges were suspended in Montana and revoked in New Mexico, and he had several active warrants. He was taken into custody for driving without a license.
Records show Mendoza-Almanza has been deported from the United States eight times between 2006 and 2023. His most recent prior conviction for felony illegal reentry occurred in Montana on March 15, 2023; he was sentenced to time served and removed from the country at that time as well. There is no indication that he sought or received permission from either the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to return to the United States.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN),” according to information provided by officials.
