HOUSTON – A 34-year-old Honduran national, Jose Leon Cruz-Lanza, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for unlawfully returning to the United States after a prior removal, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Cruz-Lanza pleaded guilty on April 7th, and Judge Charles R. Eskridge’s ruling ensures he will serve time before facing potential removal proceedings again. “The defendant took a bad situation and made it much worse,” Ganjei emphasized. “You don’t come to this country illegally, and you don’t assault law enforcement.”
Cruz-Lanza was initially removed in 2017 but illegally returned. Found in The Woodlands in May 2022, he faced charges after assaulting a local police officer and a deputy constable. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Weinhold and Amanda Alum.
Following his removal in 2017 and illegal reentry, Cruz-Lanza was again removed. Now, he awaits transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility as Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations wrapped up the investigation.
The severe sentence comes as a stark warning to other would-be lawbreakers, demonstrating the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens and enforcing immigration laws.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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