Defendant Sentenced for Illegal Reentry in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – Dery Joncarlos Zelaya-Zelaya, a 27-year-old Honduran citizen, has been sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Susie Morgan on August 26, 2025.

Zelaya-Zelaya had previously pled guilty to violating Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), which prohibits the reentry of a removed alien. In addition to his prison sentence, Zelaya-Zelaya was also ordered to serve one year of supervised release upon his release from prison and pay a mandatory $100 special assessment.

According to court documents, Zelaya-Zelaya was previously removed from the United States on May 13, 2022, and December 4, 2019. He did not have permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter the country.

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.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at repelling the invasion of illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana is committed to protecting the citizens of Louisiana from crimes such as illegal reentry. This sentence serves as a reminder that those who violate our immigration laws will be held accountable.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Violent Crime

Montana in 1958: Crime on the Rise

Jul 1, 1958

Violent Crime

Shay's Web of Deceit Unravels in CAED Court

Jul 1, 2007

Violent Crime

Leon Guerrero, Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, California 2004

Jan 15, 2004

Violent Crime

De Jesus-Felix, Federal Criminal Case, Texas, 2019

Jan 15, 2019