U.S. Department
of Justice
Honduran National Indicted for Illegal Reentry of Deported Alien
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOEL ALBERTO HENRIQUEZ-HERRERA (“HENRIQUEZ-HERRERA”), age 40, a native of Honduras, was indicted on August 21, 2026, for illegal reentry of removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, HENRIQUEZ-HERRERA, an illegal alien, was found in Orleans Parish on August 18, 2026. He had previously been removed from the United States back to his native Honduras on July 22, 2014.
If convicted, HENRIQUEZ-HERRERA faces a maximum penalty of two (2) years, followed by up to one (1) year of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), 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 Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Special Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.
Brittany Maique
Executive Assistant
U.S. Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Louisiana