Seven-time felon imprisoned for unlawfully reentering the U.S. and drunkenly firing a weapon

HOUSTON - A 39-year-old Mexican national with a felony criminal history has been sentenced for illegally reentering the country without authorization following a felony theft conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Manuel Albert Aragon-Hernandez pleaded guilty July 1.

U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has now ordered Aragon-Hernandez to serve 44 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is again expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard evidence that after unlawfully reentering the United States, Aragon-Hernandez had fired a weapon while intoxicated. Authorities also found him in possession of narcotics. In handing down the sentence, the court took into consideration that Aragon-Hernandez has been in custody for narcotics offenses since 2023.

"If you illegally reenter the United States after being removed or deported, you are going be imprisoned and then sent home again," Ganjei said. "Save yourself the trouble-and the prison time-by just staying home in the first place."

Aragon-Hernandez has convictions for failure to identify with intent to give false information and theft from a person as well as three prior convictions for illegal entry and two for possession of a controlled substance.

He was first removed from the country Sept. 14, 2010, and returned illegally three times. While in the country after illegally reentering the last time, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle he was driving and found him in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. Immigration authorities ultimately encountered him April 2.

Aragon-Hernandez will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation along with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Wirsing 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.