Federal authorities in the Southern District of Texas have charged 307 individuals with criminal offenses this week as part of Operation Take Back America, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Between January 23 and January 29, officials filed 299 cases related to immigration and border security. Of those charged, 169 face felony reentry after removal charges, while another 108 are accused of illegal entry. Many of the defendants have prior felony convictions for crimes such as narcotics offenses, violent crime, and other immigration-related violations. The filings also include 26 individuals accused of human smuggling and four others facing different criminal allegations.
Mexican national Javier Andres Rivera was sentenced to five years in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States without authorization. Rivera has previous convictions for aggravated robbery with a firearm, possession of more than 50 pounds of marijuana, terroristic threats, and illegal reentry. He was first removed from the country in 2011 and returned illegally three times.
In a separate case in Laredo, Mexican national Erik Villegas Cusi received a sentence of 51 months in prison for conspiring with others in Mexico to smuggle fentanyl and cocaine during a family trip. Authorities found drugs hidden in an aftermarket compartment under his vehicle as he entered the United States with his wife and minor son.
The new cases were referred or supported by several federal law enforcement agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with assistance from state and local partners.
According to the release: "The cases are 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."
The statement continues: "Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children."
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas is among the busiest offices nationally. It covers 43 counties with over nine million residents across approximately 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys work out of seven divisions—Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo—in collaboration with law enforcement at all levels to prosecute federal crimes.
The office noted that indictments or complaints are formal accusations only; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due process.
