Kenthen Lavardo Swain, a 26-year-old citizen of The Bahamas, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegal reentry by an aggravated felon. Senior U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara handed down the sentence after Swain pleaded guilty on November 19, 2025. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
Court documents show that Swain was discovered by immigration authorities at the Manatee County Jail on May 26, 2025, following his arrest for battery on a law enforcement officer. Authorities determined that Swain had previously been removed from the United States three times and did not have permission to return. His criminal record includes multiple felony convictions, such as possession of controlled substances with intent to sell.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang prosecuted the case.
According to the Department of Justice, this prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, which brings together resources from several federal initiatives including the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The operation aims to address illegal immigration and combat organized crime groups.
"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 the statement.
