Honduran National Guzman-Rodriguez Charged with Illegal Reentry

Angel Guzman-Rodriguez, 27, a citizen of Honduras, is back in federal crosshairs — accused of slipping back into the United States years after being formally deported. The charge: illegal reentry of a removed alien, a federal felony that carries a 20-year maximum prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.

The one-count Indictment, unsealed today in Louisiana, alleges Guzman-Rodriguez reentered the U.S. after being deported on March 9, 2012. That prior removal sets the foundation for the current prosecution, as federal law bars previously deported noncitizens from returning without permission — a rule Guzman-Rodriguez stands accused of breaking.

If convicted, Guzman-Rodriguez faces not only up to two decades behind bars but also a mandatory $100 special assessment, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. The severity of the sentence reflects the federal government’s continued focus on immigration enforcement, particularly cases involving prior removals.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite, overseeing the case, emphasized that an Indictment is not a conviction. “An Indictment is merely a charge,” Polite stated, “and the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” The statement serves as a legal safeguard amid high-profile immigration prosecutions.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led the investigation, tracking Guzman-Rodriguez’s movements and immigration status. Their work, praised by Polite, forms the backbone of the government’s ability to pursue such cases years after initial deportation orders.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is prosecuting the case. With federal courts in Louisiana seeing a steady stream of illegal reentry prosecutions, Guzman-Rodriguez’s case underscores the long reach of immigration enforcement — where past removals can resurface as fresh charges a decade later.