Tejada Morillo Faces Decades for Illegal Re-Entry

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Melvin Jose Tejada Morillo, 35, is staring down a potential prison sentence of up to 22 years after admitting to illegally re-entering the United States. The Honduran national pled guilty on July 8, 2025, to charges of illegal re-entry of a removed alien, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Sections 1326(a) and 1326(b)(2). The case highlights the federal government’s relentless pursuit of those who flout immigration laws.

According to court documents, Morillo brazenly re-entered the U.S. despite being previously deported on March 21, 2016. Details surrounding the method of his re-entry remain sealed, but federal investigators have been working this case diligently. This isn’t a simple overstay; it’s a deliberate act of defiance, a slap in the face to border security.

The sentencing guidelines are harsh, and for good reason. Morillo initially faces up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to one year of supervised release following his incarceration. He’s also on the hook for a mandatory $100 special assessment fee – a pittance compared to the potential cost of his actions.

However, the stakes are considerably higher for Morillo. Due to a prior felony conviction – the specifics of which have not been released – he’s subject to a sentencing enhancement that could add up to 20 years to his sentence. That brings the maximum potential punishment to a staggering 22 years behind bars. The feds aren’t messing around.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson praised the work of the United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in building this case. “HSI’s dedication to tracking down and apprehending those who violate our immigration laws is commendable,” Simpson stated. Assistant United States Attorney Tiwana Wright is leading the prosecution, ensuring Morillo faces the full weight of the law.

This prosecution falls under “Operation Take Back America,” a sweeping nationwide initiative aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and safeguarding communities from violent crime. The operation leverages resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), signaling a full-scale assault on criminal activity at the border and beyond. The message is clear: attempt to bypass the system, and you will be caught, prosecuted, and punished.

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