RICHMOND, Va. - A Mexican national was sentenced to seven months in prison for illegally reentering the United States following a previous removal. He remains subject to the prior order of removal.

"This case underscores the importance of immigration enforcement to protect our nation and our people," said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. "Esteban De Paz Jimenez repeatedly violated our immigration laws and committed a serious assault against his then-estranged wife. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect victims and remove violent criminals who pose a threat to public safety from the United States."

According to court documents, De Paz Jimenez, 39, has been deported from the United States on three separate occasions dating back to 2010. De Paz Jimenez illegally reentered the United States following each removal. De Paz Jimenez has six convictions for driving without a license between 2016 and 2020.

U.S. Immigration officials learned of his illegal presence in the United States following his arrest on April 7, 2025, in Caroline County on state charges of strangulation, preventing summoning of law enforcement, and malicious wounding. On March 30, 2025, De Paz Jimenez located his then-estranged-wife and followed her home where he argued with her, then choked her and shoved her to the ground. During the altercation, De Paz Jimenez pulled the victim's hair so hard he removed a large portion of hair from her scalp. De Paz Jimenez then took the victim's phone to prevent her from calling 911.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Day 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-82.