Juan Hernandez-Sandoval, Unlawful Reentry, Missouri 2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In a shocking turn of events, a Mexican national has been sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for unlawfully reentering the United States.

Juan Hernandez-Sandoval, 45, pleaded guilty on February 6, 2025, to illegal reentry after a felony conviction. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, a stern warning to those who attempt to reenter the country after being deported.

Hernandez-Sandoval’s history of deportation is a disturbing one. He had been deported or returned to Mexico on four prior occasions, a clear indication that he had been given ample opportunity to respect the law and stay out of the United States.

His most recent deportation came in 2017, after he was convicted of being an alien present without admission or parole. It is unclear what motivated Hernandez-Sandoval to return to the United States, but one thing is certain – he will now face the consequences of his actions.

The case against Hernandez-Sandoval is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Cooper. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Enforcement and Removal Operations.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at repelling the invasion of illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.

The operation streamlines efforts and resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), a clear indication that the U.S. government is committed to taking a tough stance on immigration and crime.

Hernandez-Sandoval’s sentence serves as a stark reminder that those who attempt to reenter the United States after being deported will face serious consequences. It is a warning to all those who would seek to undermine the law and put the safety of American citizens at risk.

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