⏱ 2 min read
Darwin Moradel Velasquez, a 40-year-old Honduran national, was found in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, on December 31, 2025, by agents of the United States Customs and Border Patrol. Velasquez had previously been removed to Honduras by the United States Department of Homeland Security on October 11, 2016, but he reentered the US, violating Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). The reentry was a clear breach of US immigration laws, and Velasquez was sentenced on July 2, 2026.
The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier, was time served, and Velasquez was also ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Furthermore, he will be transferred into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody for removal back to Honduras. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime.
The US Attorney’s office praised the work of the United States Customs and Border Patrol in investigating this matter, with Special Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters handling the prosecution. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to tackle the complex issues surrounding illegal immigration and border security.
Velasquez’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences of reentering the US after deportation. The US government continues to prioritize the enforcement of immigration laws, and cases like this demonstrate the commitment to protecting national security and public safety.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Organized Crime
- Defendant: Louisiana
- Location: LA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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