10-time illegal reentry felon sentenced to 69 months for unlawfully reentering U.S. again

HOUSTON – A 47-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Houston has been sentenced to federal prison again, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Josue Rodriguez-Rodriguez pleaded guilty on March 14. 

U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. has now ordered Rodriguez-Rodriguez to serve 69 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Rodriguez-Rodriguez’s previous 41-month sentence for illegal reentry failed to deter him.

Rodriguez-Rodriguez has felony convictions for illegal reentry as well as two convictions for aggravated assault-family violence and possession with intent to deliver or manufacture a controlled substance. He was first removed in 2000.

On May 5, 2014, authorities discovered Rodriguez-Rodriguez near Carrizo Springs for a 10th time. Rodriguez-Rodriguez was later sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and removed again. Authorities found him once more on Feb. 23, 2021, in Houston.

“Our nation’s immigration laws are not mere suggestions, they are backed by criminal penalties,” said Ganjei. “The defendant could have easily avoided further prison time by simply remaining in Mexico, but he instead chose to break the law…again…and again…and again. Perhaps with today’s sentence, Mr. Rodriguez-Rodriguez will finally understand the lesson he should have learned long ago.”

Rodriguez-Rodriguez will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. 

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Franklyn prosecuted the case. 

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 and Project Safe Neighborhood.