Jose Luis Moreno-Yanez, Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien, Oklahoma 2024

TULSA, Okla. – Jose Luis Moreno-Yanez, 39, a Mexican national with a lengthy and violent criminal record, will spend the next 78 months in federal prison after being sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell for Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. The sentence, handed down today, is just the latest chapter in a pattern of brazen lawlessness that has plagued Oklahoma communities.

Beyond the federal charge, Judge Frizzell stacked the sentence, ordering that 39 months be served consecutively to Moreno-Yanez’s existing state sentences. The defendant is currently serving an 18-year and 20-year concurrent sentence in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for a pair of armed robberies committed earlier this year. He also faces additional convictions for possession of a controlled drug, assault and battery, and other offenses.

U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson didn’t mince words when discussing the case. “While Moreno-Yanez is unlawfully in the United States, his criminal history shows that he commits acts of violence,” Johnson stated. “He has no regard for the laws in the United States and continues to show that he is a threat to lawful citizens.” The prosecutor praised the coordinated effort between state and federal authorities in bringing Moreno-Yanez to justice.

Court records reveal Moreno-Yanez illegally re-entered the United States in May and June of 2023, immediately escalating to criminal activity. He was charged in two separate state cases for robbery with a firearm, quickly pleading guilty to both. This wasn’t his first brush with the law; he was already subject to a term of federal supervision when he re-entered the country, triggering a separate federal violation charge for which he previously received a 24-month sentence.

The case was spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations, highlighting the agency’s focus on identifying and removing dangerous criminals. Assistant U.S. Attorney David D. Whipple skillfully prosecuted the federal case, navigating the complexities of immigration law and criminal justice. Upon his release from federal and state custody, Moreno-Yanez will be subject to deportation proceedings, though authorities acknowledge the likelihood of future attempts to re-enter the country remains a concern.

This sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing law enforcement on the southern border and the ongoing threat posed by repeat offenders. While 78 months behind bars offers temporary relief, the question remains: will it be enough to protect Oklahoma communities from the relentless cycle of violence perpetrated by individuals like Jose Luis Moreno-Yanez?