Mexican man sentenced for illegal reentry

MISSOULA - A man from Mexico who was in the United States illegally was sentenced today to time served - 200 days in custody - to be followed by one year of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Eduardo Heriberto Mendoza-Almanza, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

The government alleged in court documents that Mendoza-Almanza was arrested on April 6, 2025, in Belgrade, Montana, after an officer stopped him for driving with no license plate light after dark. He was identified with his Mexico driver's license. His driving privileges were suspended in Montana and revoked in New Mexico. He also had numerous active warrants. He was arrested for driving without a license.

Mendoza-Almanza has been removed from the U.S. on eight prior occasions:

• March 6, 2006
• February 2, 2007
• February 22, 2007
• February 25, 2007
• May 11, 2007
• January 11, 2008
• June 18, 2011
• September 5, 2023

He was convicted previously of felony illegal reentry in Montana on March 15, 2023. He was sentenced to time served and removed. There is no record he applied for or was granted permission by the Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to return to the United States.

The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation.

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 (TCOs), 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 (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).