United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced on May 11 that fourteen previously deported individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States, while seven others were convicted of related federal crimes during April.
Heekin said, “My office remains committed to fulfilling the mission of Operation Take Back America to protect our communities by aggressively prosecuting the criminal illegal aliens who brazenly ignore and violate our nation’s immigration laws. America is a nation of laws, and we will continue to enforce those laws against anyone who mistakenly believes they can violate our laws with impunity.”
The indictments involve individuals from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala who allegedly reentered the country after previous deportations. Their cases are scheduled before various district judges throughout June. The penalty for illegally reentering after deportation can be up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine; one defendant faces up to ten years due to prior convictions. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
In addition to these indictments, seven previously charged defendants were convicted last month for being unlawfully present after removal. One individual was also convicted of false document crimes. Investigations involved Homeland Security Investigations, Enforcement and Removal Operations, multiple sheriff’s offices across northern Florida counties, local police departments, and state law enforcement agencies.
Assistant United States Attorneys Walter E. Narramore, Alicia H. Forbes, Christopher C. Patterson, Eric W. Welch, Michelle Spaven, Jessica S. Etherton, Tyler A. Fleming, Jeffrey M. Tharp, Brooke DiSalvo and Thomas S.P. Geeker are handling prosecution efforts.
This effort is part of Operation Take Back America—an initiative aiming at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime nationwide under the Department of Justice umbrella.According to the official website, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida advances community safety by enforcing federal law across 23 counties including Tallahassee and operates from courthouses in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville as part of broader collaboration with federal and local agencies.
