San Antonio, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, two Honduran nationals have been charged with illegal re-entry into the United States, sparking widespread concern over border security.
According to court documents, Marcos Joel Contreras-Max and Edwin Javier Chinchilla-Lopez were arrested during a multi-agency operation conducted in San Antonio on the morning of November 16.
The operation, which was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, resulted in the arrest of more than 140 individuals, who were taken into ICE custody for further investigation and immigration proceedings.
Contreras-Max and Chinchilla-Lopez, who have been previously removed from the U.S. to Honduras on August 1, 2023, and March 14, 2025, respectively, are each charged with one count of illegal re-entry. If convicted, they face up to two years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.
The operation and its resulting arrests are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Defendant information: Marcos Joel Contreras-Max and Edwin Javier Chinchilla-Lopez, charged with one count of illegal re-entry, face up to 2 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Background: The operation was conducted by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), targeting suspected members of the foreign terrorist organization, Tren de Aragua.
Investigating agencies: The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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