Skip to main content
Press Release

Mexican Illegal Alien Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry of Removed Alien, with Enhanced Penalty for Prior Felony Convictions

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

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –ANDRES TOVAR-MERCADO ("TOVAR-MERCADO"), age 39, a native of Mexico, was indicted on September 3, 2026, for illegal re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Sections 1326(a) and 1326(b)(2), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. 

According to the charging document, the defendant was found in the United States on August 18, 2026, having reentered the United States without authorization from the Attorney General of the United States after being previously deported on October 13, 2016.

TOVAR-MERCADO faces up to two years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00 for re-entry of a removed alien. He is also eligible for a 10-year enhanced sentencing because of felony convictions in the Western District of Texas for illegal re-entry into the United States.

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. 

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Border Patrol in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. 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.

*   *   *

Contact

Shane M. Jones

Public Information Officer

United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

United States Department of Justice

Updated September 8, 2026
Topic
Operation Take Back America
Component
USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

Related Content

Press Release
Honduran Illegal Alien Guilty of Illegal Reentry

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DARWIN NOE MENDOSA-CRUZ, age 29, a citizen of Honduras, pled guilty on September 22, 2026, to reentry of a removed alien, in violation...

Press Release
Honduran Illegal Alien Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry of Removed Alien

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DAVID VILLADARES-MONTOYA, a/k/a “Alex Montoya,” a/k/a “David Alexander” (“VILLADARES-MONTOYA “), age 39, a native of Honduras, was indicted on September 3, 2026 for illegal...

Press Release
Honduran Illegal Alien Charged With Reentry of a Removed Alien

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CARLOS NAUN COREA-SUAZO (“COREA-SUAZO”), age 34, a Honduran national, was charged on August 28, 2026, via bill of information, for reentry of a removed alien...