⏱ 2 min read
Walnel Mordan Soto, a 37-year-old Dominican national, was charged with illegal reentry into the United States after being encountered at the Schuylkill County Jail on July 6, 2026. Soto had previously been removed from the US on October 6, 2016, following a conviction for an aggravated felony. The indictment alleges that Soto did not receive permission to reenter the country, as required by law. The case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to combat illegal immigration and transnational crime.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scalera handling the prosecution. Soto faces up to 20 years in prison, plus a fine and a term of supervised release, if found guilty.
Soto’s case is a significant example of the ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws and protect national security. The maximum penalty for illegal reentry is severe, reflecting the seriousness with which the US government views this offense.
The outcome of Soto’s case will depend on the findings of the court, with the Judge considering the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Organized Crime
- Defendant: Pennsylvania
- Location: PA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
