Two women charged in separate complaints with illegal re-entry

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Ancelma Contreras Pano, 40, a citizen and national of Mexico, and Ana Castro Castro, 38, a citizen and national of Ecuador, were arrested and charged in separate criminal complaints with re-entry of a removed alien, which carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint against Contreras Pano, on July 31, 2025, she was a passenger in a van that was pulled over by Border Patrol Agents in Amherst, NY. Through questioning, agents determined that Contreras Pano is a citizen and national of Mexico and does not have any documents that would allow her to be or remain in the United States lawfully. Contreras Pano was previously removed from the United States in June 2015.

According to the complaint against Castro, on August 1, 2025, she was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over by Lancaster, NY, police officers. Through questioning, it was determined that Castro is a citizen and national of Ecuador and does not have any documents that would allow her to be or remain in the United States lawfully. Castro was previously removed from the United States in July 2021.

These cases are 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.

Contreras Pano and Castro made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and were detained.

The complaints are the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge David Banks.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.   

# # # #