Honduran National Figueroa-Lopez Jailed for Illegal Reentry

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Felix Humberto Figueroa-Lopez, 42, a Honduran national with a history of ignoring U.S. immigration law, is headed back to prison after being sentenced today for illegally reentering the country. U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced the 15-month sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier, a penalty for a crime that continues to strain federal resources.

Figueroa-Lopez pled guilty to a one-count Indictment charging him with illegal reentry of a removed alien. The case stems from an August 16, 2014, incident in Jefferson Parish, where deputies arrested him for disturbing the peace/fighting. That simple arrest unraveled a pattern of repeated violations of U.S. immigration law, triggering a federal investigation.

Court documents reveal that Figueroa-Lopez wasn’t a first-time offender. He was previously deported from the United States in both 1999 and 2004. Yet, he brazenly returned, slipping across the border without inspection by U.S. immigration officials. Jefferson Parish deputies, upon discovering his immigration status, immediately contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE agents quickly confirmed Figueroa-Lopez’s history and placed a detainer, essentially a hold, on him while federal prosecutors built their case. The system worked as intended – a local disturbance leading to federal charges and a return to the prison system. Following his 15-month incarceration, Figueroa-Lopez will not be released back into the general population. He will be turned over to ICE for formal removal proceedings, presumably back to Honduras.

In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Barbier ordered three years of supervised release following Figueroa-Lopez’s incarceration and imposed a $100 special assessment. U.S. Attorney Polite publicly commended the work of the ICE agency in the investigation, highlighting the crucial role they play in enforcing immigration laws.

Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters handled the prosecution of the case, demonstrating the Department of Justice’s commitment to pursuing individuals who repeatedly violate federal immigration statutes. The case serves as a stark reminder that illegally reentering the United States carries significant consequences, even after multiple deportations. This isn’t simply a civil matter; it’s a federal crime.