Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican National illegally residing in Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for Illegal Re-entry by an Alien Previously Removed.

Jorge Alejandro Esparza-Lopez, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to twelve months in federal prison without parole followed by one year of supervised release.

On Feb. 26, 2025, Esparza-Lopez pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the United States after previously being removed. Esparza-Lopez admitted he knew he did not have permission to enter or remain in the United States lawfully.

Under federal law it is illegal for an alien to knowingly re-enter the United States without permission after being removed. Esparza-Lopez had previously been removed from the country on five separate occasions in 2007, 2013, twice in 2016, and 2022. He unlawfully returned sometime after his 2022 removal and was found in the Western District of Missouri after being arrested in October of 2024 by the Independence, Missouri Police Department for domestic assault, stealing, and interfering with police. He was subsequently charged in Independence, Missouri for those acts and the charges remain pending.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Hanson. It was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Operation Take Back America

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 (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline)