A Mexican national living illegally in Houston has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for reentering the United States without authorization, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Javier Andres Rivera, 31, pleaded guilty on November 12, 2025. U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison ordered Rivera to serve a 60-month sentence. Since Rivera is not a U.S. citizen, he will likely face removal proceedings after completing his prison term.
During the sentencing hearing, the court reviewed Rivera’s criminal history and noted that he had continued to commit offenses despite previously serving a lengthy prison sentence and had not shown signs of rehabilitation.
Rivera has prior felony convictions that include aggravated robbery with a firearm, possession of more than 50 pounds of marijuana, terroristic threats, and illegal reentry. He was initially removed from the country in November 2011 but returned illegally three times. Authorities located him again in July 2025 following his arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm.
Rivera will stay in custody until he is transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Law 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 the press release.
