MOBILE, AL – on March 20, 2026, Jose Abisai Padilla-Galeano, 26, of Honduras, was sentenced in federal court to 15 months in prison for illegally reentering the United States after previously having been deported. In a separate case, Pedro Guerrero-Rocha, 27, of Mexico, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the same charge. These cases were prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
According to court documents, on October 11, 2025, Padilla was arrested for possession of cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, and DUI by the Foley Police Department. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) responded to the jail and took custody of Padilla upon his release from jail on bond. Padilla had been previously deported from the United States four times. Padilla had been previously convicted of illegal reentry twice. Following Padilla-Galeano’s 15-month sentence in federal prison for his third illegal reentry offense, he was ordered to be transferred to immigration authorities for deportation proceedings.
On October 20, 2025, Guerrero was stopped by the Saraland Police Department for a traffic violation. Saraland Police Department requested assistance from the United States Border Patrol (USBP) of the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP). USBP responded and determined that Guerrero had been deported from the United States on six prior occasions and arrested him for his illegal presence in the United States. Guerrero had also been previously convicted of Driving while Intoxicated with a Child under 15 years old in violation of Texas state law in 2019 and illegal reentry in 2023. Following his 15-month sentence in federal prison for his second illegal reentry offense, he was ordered to be transferred to immigration authorities for deportation proceedings.
Additional defendants were recently prosecuted and charged with illegally reentering the United States after previously having been deported as part of Operation Take Back America’s ongoing collaboration between federal agencies with the assistance of state and local law enforcement and sentenced in federal court.
On October 11, 2025, a Gulf Shores Police Department officer responded to the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving Luis Antonio Aguilar-Bedolla, 38, of Mexico. Aguilar was arrested for an outstanding state arrest warrant. ICE/ERO obtained the record of the arrest and determined that Aguilar was a previously deported alien and took custody of him. Aguilar, who had been previously convicted of DUI twice, was convicted in federal court for illegal reentry in federal court and sentenced to time-served. The court ordered that he be transferred to immigration officials for deportation proceedings.
On October 16, 2025, a Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Deputy encountered Nehemias Pelico-Cutz, 39, of Guatemala during a traffic stop. ICE/ERO assisted with the stop and determined that Pelico was a previously deported alien unlawfully in the United States. Pelico had been deported on five occasions. ICE/ERO arrested Pelico, and he was convicted of illegal reentry in federal court. He was sentenced to time-served and ordered to be transferred to immigration officials for deportation proceedings.
On October 27, 2024, Javier Hernandez-Juarez, 45, of Mexico, was encountered by the Foley Police Department and arrested for DUI, but used an alias. ICE/ERO obtained fingerprint records from the arrest, determined Hernandez’s identity as a previously deported alien, and arrested him for illegal reentry in December 2025. Hernandez was convicted, sentenced to time-served, and ordered to be transferred to immigration officials for deportation proceedings.
On December 28, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received an anonymous tip from the HSI Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE referenced Tulio Miguel Mendez-Aguriano, 33, of Honduras. Upon receiving the tip, ICE/ERO officials vetted the information and determined that Mendez was illegally in the United States after previously being deported. On December 29, 2025, ICE/ERO arrested Mendez. Mendez was convicted of illegal reentry, sentenced to time-served, and ordered to be transferred to immigration officials for deportation proceedings.
On December 18, 2025, Jose Jorge Xocua Sandoval, 37, of Mexico, was encountered by an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency State Trooper during a traffic stop. USBP assisted with the stop and determined that Sandoval had been previously deported from the United States following an arrest for aggravated assault in Florida. Sandoval was convicted of illegal reentry, sentenced to time-served, and ordered to be transferred to immigration officials for deportation proceedings.
On January 9, 2026, the Silverhill Police Department encountered Jesus Villanueva-Gallegos, 45, of Mexico, during a traffic stop. ICE/ERO assisted with the stop and determined that Villanueva was a previously deported alien following a conviction for attempted aggravated sexual battery in violation of Kansas state law in 2001. Villanueva was convicted of illegal reentry, sentenced to time-served, and ordered to be transferred to immigration officials for deportation proceedings.
These defendants had been in custody since their respective arrests on federal charges. All defendants were ordered to pay $100.00 each in special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), investigated these cases with the assistance of state and local law enforcement partners, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Foley Police Department, Gulf Shores Police Department, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, Saraland Police Department, and Silverhill Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin D. Kopf prosecuted the cases on behalf of the United States.
In addition to repelling the invasion of illegal immigration, Operation Take Back America aim includes the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protecting our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Southern District of Alabama — U.S. Department of Justice press release.