Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Reentering US

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 49-year-old man from El Trapiche, Guerrero, Mexico, has pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Angel Zavaleta-Rodriguez, 49, of El Trapiche, Guerrero, Mexico, was previously removed from the United States in August 2000 and had previously returned illegally. Authorities removed him Nov. 13, 2023, but encountered him again on March 25 in Harlingen, where he had been residing illegally in Sebastian.

According to the Department of Justice, Zavaleta-Rodriguez’s actions are a prime example of the ongoing problem of illegal reentry into the United States. ‘This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,’ said U.S. Attorney Ganjei.

U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera will impose sentencing on September 7, at which time Zavaleta-Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The investigation into Zavaleta-Rodriguez’s activities was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado is prosecuting the case.

Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood. The program aims to tackle the root causes of violent crime and protect communities from the scourge of cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

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