Dorantes-Ortiz Sentenced

Hilario Dorantes-Ortiz, a 40-year-old Mexican national, has been sentenced to 30 days’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release for illegal reentry into the United States. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson on August 28, 2025.

According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Dorantes-Ortiz was previously removed from the United States on July 20, 2022, via Brownsville, Texas. After being charged with aggravated indecent assault in March 2025, Dorantes-Ortiz was encountered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He had not obtained legal permission to reenter the country.

The case against Dorantes-Ortiz is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that aims to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Dorantes-Ortiz’s sentencing is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration and related crimes. The investigation into his case was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, with Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera prosecuting the case.

The sentence handed down to Dorantes-Ortiz reflects the seriousness with which the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania views illegal reentry into the United States. As Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus noted, the case is an example of the Department of Justice’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting public safety.

In addition to the sentencing of Dorantes-Ortiz, Operation Take Back America has yielded significant results in the fight against illegal immigration and related crimes. The initiative has brought together law enforcement agencies and resources from across the country to target cartels, TCOs, and other perpetrators of violent crime. As the Department of Justice continues to implement Operation Take Back America, it is likely that more individuals like Dorantes-Ortiz will be brought to justice for their crimes.

The case of Hilario Dorantes-Ortiz serves as a reminder of the importance of enforcing immigration laws and protecting public safety. The sentencing of Dorantes-Ortiz to 30 days’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release is a significant step in the right direction, and it is likely that similar cases will be prosecuted in the future. As the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania continues to work to combat illegal immigration and related crimes, it is clear that the Department of Justice is committed to keeping communities safe and upholding the law.