NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A Honduran national has admitted to violating U.S. immigration laws after twice being removed from the country.
According to court documents, Dery JonCarlos Zelaya-Zelaya, 28, pleaded guilty on July 1, 2025, to illegal re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
Zelaya-Zelaya was previously removed from the United States on May 13, 2022, and December 4, 2019, and had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to re-enter.
As part of his guilty plea, Zelaya-Zelaya faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two (2) years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
United States District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for August 26, 2025, at 2 p.m.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement Removal Operations in investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Duane A. Evans of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Immigration|Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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