A Mexican national, aged 44, has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally reentering the United States. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that Juan Humberto Lara Molina pleaded guilty on February 13 and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos to 24 months in prison.
Molina’s criminal history includes previous convictions for illegal reentry in 2007 and 2015, as well as drug and firearms offenses in Indiana and Illinois. He has been removed from the United States multiple times, with the most recent removal occurring in November 2021.
Despite these removals, Molina was found at the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint on December 12, 2024. He was among seven individuals being transported north by human smugglers in a tractor-trailer.
Judge Ramos highlighted concerns over Molina’s repeated illegal entries into the country during sentencing, indicating that continued offenses could result in longer prison terms. Following his imprisonment, Molina is expected to face removal proceedings once again.
The investigation leading to Molina’s arrest was conducted by Border Patrol agents. Assistant U.S. Attorney Young Min C. Burkett prosecuted the case.
This legal action is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through resources from various Department of Justice programs including Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
