Honduran National Guilty Of Illegal Re-Entry

NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Michael M. Simpson announced that MELVIN JOSE TEJADA MORILLO (“MORILLO”), age 35, pled guilty on July 8, 2025, to illegal re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Sections 1326(a) and 1326(b)(2).

According to the indictment, MORILLO, re-entered the United States after being previously deported on March 21, 2016. At sentencing, MORILLO faces up to two years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to one year of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. However, because MORILLO has a prior felony conviction, MORILLO also faces a sentencing enhancement of up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson praised the work of the United States Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Tiwana Wright 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).