United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico
03/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/13/2026 15:24
Illegal Alien Sentenced to 10 Years for Seventh Illegal Reentry Conviction
ALBUQUERQUE - A Mexican national was sentenced to 10 years in prison following her seventh conviction for re-entry of a removed alien.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, on October 11, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Elena Ernestina Pedroza, 60, a Mexican national, in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. Records revealed that Pedroza had previously been convicted of re-entry of a removed alien and deported to Mexico six times, most recently in August 2025. Pedroza was previously sentenced to a total of 88 months (7 years, 3 months) for all her prior reentry convictions combined. The United States requested a longer sentence for deterrence.
Pedroza subsequently pled guilty to re-entry of a removed alien and was sentenced to 120 months in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Chief Patrol Agent Jesse D. Muñoz of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector made the announcement today.
The U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Silvia Delgado prosecuted the case.
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