NEW ORLEANS – Jorge Luis Ruelas-Guerra, 47, a citizen of Mexico, admitted in federal court on July 10, 2025, that he knowingly violated U.S. immigration law by illegally re-entering the country after being previously deported. The plea comes after a traffic stop in Houma, Louisiana exposed his unlawful presence.
Ruelas-Guerra pled guilty to one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced the guilty plea, stating that Ruelas-Guerra now awaits sentencing before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe on October 23, 2025.
The case unfolded on May 17, 2024, when officers with the Houma Police Department (HPD) initiated a traffic stop after Ruelas-Guerra allegedly ran a stop sign. According to court documents, Ruelas-Guerra presented a Mexican passport but claimed to have no driver’s license. Body camera footage confirmed he was the driver. A routine check revealed a troubling history: Ruelas-Guerra had been previously deported on September 29, 2011.
Investigators quickly linked the man to prior records. DHS systems flagged Ruelas-Guerra’s information, matching both his previous removals and booking photos from earlier arrests. Crucially, a search revealed no active immigration petitions or applications filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – meaning he had not sought legal pathways to remain in the country. The Houma PD’s diligence brought a federal case.
Ruelas-Guerra now faces a maximum sentence of two years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and one year of supervised release following his incarceration. He will also be required to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. This isn’t just about a traffic violation; it’s about a deliberate disregard for U.S. immigration laws.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the collaborative effort of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Houma Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution, signaling the Department of Justice’s continued focus on enforcing immigration laws and holding repeat offenders accountable. The case serves as a stark reminder that illegal re-entry carries serious federal consequences.
RELATED: Repeat Offender Ruelas-Guerra Faces Federal Time
Related Federal Cases
- Repeat Offender Ruelas-Guerra Faces Federal Time · Louisiana
- Repeat Offender Hernandez-Yones Jailed for 3 Years · Louisiana
- Repeat Offender: Terrazas-Ordonez Faces Federal Re-Entry Charges · Iowa
- Repeat Offender Pinguil-Caguana Jailed for Illegal Re-Entry · Maine
- Repeat Offender Zelaya-Zelaya Admits Illegal Return · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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