Mexican man sentenced for illegal reentry

GREAT FALLS – A Mexican man who illegally re-entered the United States was sentenced today to time served, 97 days, and was remanded to the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Justino Sanchez-Melo, 42, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged in court documents that Sanchez-Melo was one of four illegal aliens encountered at a hotel in Great Falls on October 10, 2025. Prior to the apprehension and arrests, law enforcement received information regarding possible illegal aliens working in Great Falls, Montana and living at the hotel. Law enforcement conducted surveillance on the location and located numerous vehicles registered to possible illegal aliens with prior removals and without permission to be, work, or live in the United States.

At approximately 7:00 a.m. on October 10, 2025, law enforcement consensually encountered Sanchez-Melo walking near the hotel parking lot. Officers identified themselves and conducted an immigration inspection on Sanchez-Melo. Sanchez-Melo readily admitted to being a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States. At this point, Sanchez-Melo was placed under arrest and was transported to the Sweetgrass Border Patrol Station for further investigation and processing.

Sanchez-Melo was advised of his rights. He acknowledged his rights and was unwilling to answer questions without a lawyer present.

The investigation revealed Sanchez-Melo has the following immigration history:

• Originally apprehended and ordered removed by United States Border Patrol on February 24, 2011, and was removed on February 26, 2011, through Calexico, California.
• Encountered on March 14, 2011, where his order of removal was reinstated. Sanchez-Melo was then removed on March 18, 2011, through Del Rio, Texas.
• Encountered on September 2, 2013, where his order of removal was reinstated. Sanchez-Melo was then removed on December 14, 2013, through Eagle Pass, Texas.
• Encountered on May 22, 2023, where his order of removal was reinstated. Sanchez-Melo was then removed on September 19, 2023, through Nogales, Arizona.

Sanchez-Melo has 3 previous federal convictions of 8 U.S.C. § 1325, Improper entry by alien.

There is no indication in the files of Department of Homeland Security that Sanchez-Melo ever applied for or obtained the permission of the United States Attorney General or successor, or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter the United States.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Border Patrol conducted the investigation.

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.

XXX