Elio Yoel Cardona-Torres Sentenced

Elio Yoel Cardona-Torres, a 43-year-old citizen of Honduras, has been sentenced to time-served, five months in prison, for illegally reentering the United States after having previously been removed. Cardona-Torres pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann on July 17, 2025.

According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, Cardona-Torres was arrested during targeted enforcement in Sayre, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 2025. This was not Cardona-Torres’ first encounter with immigration authorities, as he had previously been removed from the United States pursuant to court order in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

The case against Cardona-Torres was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, with Assistant United States Attorney Robin Zenzinger prosecuting the case. The sentencing of Cardona-Torres is part of the ongoing efforts by the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration and protect communities from violent crime.

Cardona-Torres’ sentencing is also 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. This operation streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The Department of Justice has made it clear that it will not tolerate illegal reentry into the United States, and those who do so will face the full force of the law. Cardona-Torres’ sentencing serves as a reminder that the consequences of illegal reentry can be severe, including prison time and deportation.

As Cardona-Torres faces deportation proceedings once again, the community can take comfort in knowing that the Department of Justice is working tirelessly to protect them from individuals who would seek to circumvent the law. The sentencing of Elio Yoel Cardona-Torres is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice in their efforts to keep communities safe.

In a statement, Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus reiterated the Department of Justice’s commitment to combating illegal immigration and protecting communities from violent crime. The sentencing of Cardona-Torres is a significant step forward in this effort, and the community can expect to see continued action from the Department of Justice in the days to come.