Arturo Cantu-Santiago, Illegal Reentry, Missouri 2025

Three Mexican nationals have been charged with illegal reentry in Missouri. The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to repel the invasion of illegal immigration and protect communities from violent crime.

Arturo Cantu-Santiago, 35, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty on May 13, 2025, to illegal reentry by a previously removed alien. Cantu-Santiago was arrested on March 28, 2025, by Kansas City, Missouri Police Department officers. He had been removed from the United States twice previously – on July 1, 2011, and on Dec. 22, 2011.

Cantu-Santiago is subject to a sentence of up to two years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The second alien, Florencio Aburto-Feliciano, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 20, 2025, with illegal reentry by a previously removed alien. Aburto-Feliciano was arrested on May 8, 2025, by Greenwood, Missouri police officers. He had been removed from the United States at least once previously, on May 28, 2021.

The third alien, Juan Ramirez-Valencia, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 20, 2025, with illegal reentry by a previously removed alien. Ramirez-Valencia was arrested on March 27, 2025, by the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office. He had been removed from the United States at least once previously, on Aug. 22, 2020.

These cases were investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

According to federal statutes, Cantu-Santiago, Aburto-Feliciano, and Ramirez-Valencia are subject to a sentence of up to two years in federal prison without parole. The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

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