⏱ 2 min read
Franklin David Zelaya-Funez, a 33-year-old Honduran national, has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States. Zelaya-Funez, who was previously deported in 2021 after being convicted of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, was found in Pensacola, Florida in June 2025. The violent criminal alien had a history of disregarding US laws, including a permanent domestic violence injunction. The sentence was handed down after Zelaya-Funez pleaded guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien.
The case highlights the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting American communities from individuals who pose a threat to public safety. According to U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin, the DOJ will aggressively prosecute criminal illegal aliens who invade the country, prioritizing the safety of citizens. The sentence is part of the Operation Take Back America initiative, which aims to remove violent thugs from neighborhoods and uphold the rule of law.
Zelaya-Funez’s sentence will be followed by deportation proceedings, ensuring that he will be removed from the United States once again. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from law enforcement partners. HSI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno emphasized the importance of removing weapons from those who cannot legally possess them and upholding the rule of law.
The sentence serves as a warning to other criminal illegal aliens who may attempt to reenter the United States. The DOJ’s commitment to public safety and the rule of law is unwavering, and individuals who disregard US laws will be held accountable.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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