Mexican National Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Illegal Reentry into the United States

Jackson, Miss - A Mexican national was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after being convicted and deported for an aggravated felony.

According to court documents, Luis Javier Sanchez-Zurita, 38, of Oaxaca, Mexico was found illegally present in Brandon, MS on February 21, 2024, after having been previously convicted of a crime of violence and deported from the United States in 2017. Sanchez-Zurita was stopped by a Brandon Police officer for carelessly driving, driving under the influence and endangerment of a child.

Sanchez-Zurita pled guilty on August 22, 2024, to illegal reentry after being deported following a state felony conviction for gratification of lust (crime against children).

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Field Office Director Mellissa B. Harper of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New Orleans, made the announcement.

The case was investigated by ICE ERO.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda R. Haynes prosecuted the case.