Mexican consulate in Indianapolis provides consular assistance to Anthony Bedolla

Mexican consulate in Indianapolis provides consular assistance to Anthony Bedolla

• Anthony Bedolla met with the Mexican consul in Indianapolis to receive ongoing assistance with health, education, employment, and housing
• He was issued a passport to facilitate further procedures

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that Anthony Bedolla, a Mexican citizen who was exonerated and released from prison in August through the Criminal Defense Program for Mexicans in the U.S., met with Consul Maki Teramoto Sakamoto at the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis, Indiana. The meeting was held to ensure Mr. Bedolla's continued access to consular support and reintegration assistance.

The consulate issued Mr. Bedolla a passport, enabling him to proceed with necessary consular and immigration processes.

The consulate is taking immediate steps to address Mr. Bedolla's needs in healthcare, education, housing and employment. He will undergo a medical examination and enroll in courses to further his academic and professional development. These services will be provided through the consulate's Health, Finance and Education Windows, with additional support from a partner organization.

Anthony Bedolla was wrongfully sentenced to 45 years in prison and was incarcerated for 14 years. His case became part of the Criminal Defense Program for Mexicans in the U.S., established in December 2023 through an agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University of Notre Dame Law School's Exoneration Justice Center. Mr. Bedolla's exoneration marks the program's first success.

The legal team from the Exoneration Justice Center, Jimmy Gurulé and Katie Takeuchi, along with attorney Cynthia Carter, accompanied Mr. Bedolla during the meeting.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis and the Directorate General of Consular Protection and Strategic Planning, will continue to provide consular assistance and protection to Anthony Bedolla to ensure his full reintegration into society.