A Mexican national was sentenced to time served in U.S. District Court in Bangor, Maine, for making a false statement to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent.
Felipe De Jesus Zavala Medel, 64, had been detained since January 29, 2025, and was sentenced to time served, approximately 104 days.
According to court records, in January 2025, Zavala Medel approached the Coburn Gore port of entry in a vehicle from the Canadian side of the international border and presented a North Dakota driver’s license in the name of “Johny Joe Olivo” along with identifying documents to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent.
Zavala Medel falsely told the agent he was born in Texas, and he also completed and signed a Customs Declaration form containing the false information.
During questioning, Zavala Medel admitted that he did not have any documents that allowed him to legally enter, reside, or work in the U.S.
CBP and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Operation Take Back America:
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our 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).
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
