JACKSONVILLE, FL – Jose Godinez-Mendoza, 39, of Guatemala, is facing federal charges after being indicted for the crime of illegal reentry into the United States. The indictment, announced by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, marks yet another attempt by Godinez-Mendoza to circumvent U.S. immigration law, despite being previously deported a staggering six times.
Court documents reveal a pattern of disregard for U.S. law. Godinez-Mendoza was initially removed from the country on December 29, 2011, and continued to reappear illegally, leading to subsequent deportations through December 28, 2018. Crucially, he never once sought legal permission to return to the United States, opting instead to repeatedly cross the border illegally.
The latest chapter in this saga unfolded on September 7, 2025, when a deputy with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office encountered Godinez-Mendoza during a routine traffic stop in the St. Augustine area. It was quickly determined he was again unlawfully present in the country. Federal agents moved in swiftly, arresting him on September 11, 2025, and detaining him pending trial. This isn’t a case of seeking a better life; it’s a blatant disregard for the legal process.
If convicted of illegal reentry, Godinez-Mendoza faces a potential federal prison sentence of up to two years. However, that’s only the beginning. Following any prison term, he will undoubtedly be subject to yet another deportation and removal from the United States, a cycle that has already played out six times. The question remains: will this time be different?
This case is being spearheaded by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown, with critical investigative work provided by Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. It’s also a key component of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protecting communities from violent crime and human trafficking. The DOJ is framing this as a war on border security, and Godinez-Mendoza is just one soldier in their sights.
It’s important to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. Godinez-Mendoza, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the facts paint a clear picture: a repeat offender, repeatedly deported, repeatedly returning. The federal government is sending a message – and Godinez-Mendoza is about to learn if they mean it.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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