Mexican National to Face Sixth Removal from the United States

TULSA, Okla. - A Mexican national who has been removed from the United States five times previously was sentenced today for unlawfully remaining in the country, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. Circuit Judge Gustavo A. Gelpi, Jr., sentenced Jose Juan Salas-Esparza, 48, for Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Salas-Esparza was ordered to serve 18 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

In March 2025, Salas-Esparza was arrested for aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without a license, and other traffic violations. A records check indicated that Salas-Esparza was deported from the United States five times. Salas-Esparza's most recent removal was in December 2024, after being convicted in the Western District of Texas for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and two counts of Illegal Alien Transportation.

The other four removals occurred after Salas-Esparza was driving under the influence and arrested.

Salas-Esparza will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Augustus Forster prosecuted the case.

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.