Repeat Offender Leon-Avalos Faces Federal Reentry Charges

HARRISBURG, PA – Jose Leon-Avalos, 32, a citizen of Mexico, is facing serious federal charges after allegedly violating the terms of his deportation and returning to the United States. An indictment unsealed September 10, 2025, alleges Leon-Avalos illegally reentered the country after a prior conviction for violent crimes in Pennsylvania.

According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Leon-Avalos was initially convicted of Aggravated Assault and Attempted Indecent Assault in Dauphin County’s Court of Common Pleas back in January 2015. The indictment details how he was subsequently removed from the United States on January 6, 2016, via Brownsville, Texas. But he didn’t stay away for long. Authorities say Leon-Avalos was found on or about August 26, 2025, once again in Dauphin County, without any legal authorization to be here.

This isn’t just a paperwork issue. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s aggressive “Operation Take Back America,” a sweeping initiative designed to clamp down on illegal immigration, dismantle powerful cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and bring violent criminals to justice. The operation streamlines resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), signaling a zero-tolerance approach to border security and public safety.

The feds aren’t playing around. If convicted, Leon-Avalos is looking at a maximum sentence of twenty years behind bars, followed by a period of supervised release, and a hefty fine. However, the final sentence will be determined by the judge, taking into account federal sentencing statutes and guidelines. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen W. Dukes is handling the prosecution, and you can bet he’ll be pushing for the full extent of the law.

The investigation was spearheaded by the dedicated agents of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations, who work tirelessly to track down and apprehend individuals who repeatedly violate immigration laws. They’re the ones who put the pieces together and built the case against Leon-Avalos.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. Leon-Avalos, like all defendants in the American justice system, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. But the charges are serious, and the stakes are high. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments as they unfold.