Mexican Man Charged With Illegally Reentering The U.S.
Saturday, July 12, 2025, 8:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
HARRISBURG, PA.- A 44-year-old illegal Mexican immigrant is facing up to two years in federal prison after being criminally charged in a federal indictment with illegally reentering the United States after being previously deported.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, a Federal Grand Jury for the Middle District of Pennsylvania returned an indictment charging Leonardo Mendoza-Zavala, 44, of Mexico, with one count of Illegal Reentry into the United States by a Previously Deported Alien.
According To Charging Information Unsealed In The Indictment
According to the charging information unsealed in the indictment, it is alleged that on or about June 21, 2025, Mendoza-Zavala was found unlawfully in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, after having been removed from the United States. The indictment further alleges that Mendoza-Zavala had been removed from the United States on January 6, 2020, through Laredo, Texas.
The indictment also alleges that sometime after his January 2020 removal, Mendoza-Zavala, at an unknown date and an unknown location, reentered the United States without first obtaining permission or legal authorization to do so.
If convicted at trial, Mendoza-Zayala faces up to 24 months in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. At sentencing, upon a finding of guilt, a U.S. District Court Judge would determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Mendoza-Zavalva’s prior criminal history.
Acting U.S. Attorney Gurganus commended the investigative work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Enforcement Removal Operations and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, which led to Mendoza-Zavala’s indictment.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
