Honduran National Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CHRISTIAN PENA-OCHOA, age 29, a citizen of Honduras, was charged on February 24, 2023, in a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

According to the indictment, PENA-OCHOA reentered the United States after he was previously removed on September 7, 2018.

If convicted, PENA-OCHOA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.