Previously Removed Illegal Alien Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Ammunition Offense

SANTA ANA - A previously removed illegal alien was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, unlawfully possessing ammunition as a felon, and illegally reentering the United States after prior deportations.

The case was investigated as part of Operation Guardian Angel, an initiative targeting violent offenders, narcotics trafficking, and previously removed criminal aliens operating in local communities.

Juan Jose Guerra-Renteria, 46, a Mexican national who had been deported in 2006 and again in 2020, was sentenced on October 8, 2026, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and illegal reentry.

United States District Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani sentenced him to 120 months' imprisonment on the drug trafficking and firearms counts and 29 months on the illegal reentry count.

"Thanks to Operation Guardian Angel, criminal illegal aliens like Guerra-Renteria are being identified and removed from our communities," said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. "This sentence reflects the seriousness of defendant's conduct and his repeated disregard for federal law. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard our communities and ensure that dangerous criminal illegal aliens are held accountable with federal prison time."

According to the plea agreement, on October 14, 2025, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Guerra-Renteria in Orange County, during which officers located over 211.9 grams of methamphetamine and 56 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition.

At the time he possessed the ammunition, Guerra-Renteria had multiple prior felony convictions, making it illegal for him to possess ammunition under federal law. Following his 2020 removal, he knowingly and voluntarily reentered the United States without authorization from the Attorney General or the Department of Homeland Security.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Orange Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Y. Fu of the Orange County Office prosecuted the case.