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Press Release

Honduran Man Guilty of Illegal Re-Entry

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ActingUnited States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that ELVIN LICONA CERRATO (“LICONA”), age 36, a native of Honduras, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on June 26, 2025 by U.S. District Judge Nanette Jolivette-Brown for illegal re-entry of a previously removed alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1326(a).  LICONA was sentenced to a total term of time served and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  Additionally, LICONA’s custody was immediately transferred to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement pursuant to the pending detainer.

According to court documents, LICONA was previously removed from the United States on November 14, 2016.  He was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on April 6, 2025 and had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

This case is 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, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

 

Contact

Shane M. Jones

Public Information Officer

United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

United States Department of Justice

Updated June 30, 2025
Topic
Operation Take Back America
Component
USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

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