Mexican Citizen Sentenced to Five Months for Illegal Reentry

Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on November 13, 2025, Artemio Cordova Mendez, age 36, a Mexican citizen, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to a term of 5 months’ imprisonment, with credit for time served. Cordova Mendez previously pleaded guilty to illegal reentry.

According to court records, Cordova Mendez illegally entered the United States near Lukeville, Arizona in 2010. He was convicted of illegal entry in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, and removed from the United States. Approximately six months later, he illegally reentered the United States near Antelope Wells, New Mexico. He was convicted of illegal reentry in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, and again removed from the United States. In August 2025, Cordova Mendez was encountered by law enforcement in Vermont. Following his earlier removals from the United States, he had not obtained permission to reenter the United States.

First Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn. Cordova Mendez was represented by Christina E. Nolan, Esq.

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.