Most of those who were indicted are accused of returning to the U.S. after being deported.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A federal grand jury in Birmingham has indicted nine people on immigration-related charges as part of a broader federal operation targeting illegal immigration and transnational crime, U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona announced Tuesday.
Eight defendants face charges for illegally reentering the United States after previous deportation, while a ninth individual was charged with unlawful firearm possession by a non-citizen.
The following individuals were indicted for unlawful reentry after deportation:
Jesus Malachi Manuel-Marcos, 44, and Pedro Paz-Diaz, 36, Both Citizens of Guatemala, Along With Six Mexican Nationals: Sergio Rogelio Sandoval-Luna, 26; JOSE MEDRANO AGUILAR-RODRIGUZ, 42; JOSE ALBERTO SANCHEZ-PINEDA, 35; Sergio Dominguez-Bautista, 42; Husaid Cruz-Santos, 28; and Berenice Margarita Reyes-Rodriguez, 44.
Elvin Geovanny Lopez-Diaz, 19, a Honduran citizen, faces charges for being an alien in possession of a firearm.
The prosecutions fall under Operation Take Back Americaa nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations. The operation coordinates resources from the department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood programs.
The investigation was conducted jointly by Homeland Security Investigations – Atlanta and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Nashville Field Division.
The charges reflect ongoing federal enforcement efforts targeting immigration violations and related criminal activity in the Northern District of Alabama.
