Mexican illegal alien charged again for unlawfully re-entering America—six weeks after being removed when a judge released him during his first prosecution

DETROIT - The United States has charged a Mexican illegal alien, Gerardo Flores-Banda, 48, for illegally re-entering America less than two months after having been removed from the country for the same crime, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo, Jr., U.S. Border Patrol, Detroit Sector.

According to court records, in July 2025, Gerardo Flores-Banda was found in the United States after being removed from the country in 2012. On July 30, 2025, the government charged Flores-Banda with unlawfully re-entering the United States. The next month, the government sought Flores-Banda's detention before a United States Magistrate Judge in Detroit. But that magistrate judge gave him bond and a district court judge affirmed his release. The government then indicted Flores-Banda.

Because Flores-Banda had been released to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he was removed from the United States in September before his federal case could be concluded. Given Flores-Banda's history of illegal re-entry, the government sought to hold his case in abeyance. But the district court denied the government's motion and dismissed Flores-Bandes's case without prejudice.

Only six weeks after he was removed, law enforcement found Flores-Banda back in the United States near Naivan Vaya, Arizona. The government then indicted him in Arizona and he pleaded guilty to being in the country illegally. He awaits sentencing. The government now seeks to reinstate it's previously dismissed illegal re-entry case based on Flores-Banda's 2025 arrest in Michigan.

"Serial criminals like the defendant must be deterred from breaking into our country. They do not respect the law of the land. When Americans break the law, they don't get a free ride out of the country. And this defendant should not be treated better than our citizens. He should have to face the consequences for his alleged crime," said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.

"This case is a clear reminder that our border is closed to criminals who repeatedly violate our nation's laws, demonstrating a blatant disregard for our legal system. We are proud to work with the United States Attorney's Office to ensure that our country's immigration laws are enforced and justice is served. The men and women of Border Patrol's Detroit Sector remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our communities and upholding the integrity of our border," Geronimo said.

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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.