Guatemalan Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Illegal Reentry into U.S.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A Guatemalan resident pleaded guilty in federal court on May 9, 2025, to a charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien and was sentenced to time served on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Juan Manuel Secaida, 35.

According to information presented to the Court, Secaida was arrested by the Coraopolis Police Department and charged with harassment, stalking, and criminal trespass, charges which remain pending. Following this encounter, immigration officials determined that Secaida was illegally present in the United States and arrested him on April 1, 2025. Secaida was previously removed from the United States in January 2020 after pleading guilty in Maryland state court to two separate instances of driving under the influence of alcohol, and had not received the required permission to be in the United States. Secaida has been in federal custody since his April arrest on the illegal reentry charge, and will be returned to immigration custody.

Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Coraopolis Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Secaida.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.